The project has drawn the attention of Wheaton Precious Metals, which was the largest participant in Adventus' C$9.2 million (US$7 million) equity raising that closed last week, giving it a 9.99% stake in the company.

The above-mentioned intercept comprised 2.67% copper, 21.59g/t gold, 38.46% zinc, 338.8g/t silver and 5.32% lead; and was part of a broader 9.98m at 23.06% CuEq.

Adventus and Salazar are about two-thirds of the way through the infill drilling programme within the higher-grade portion of the openpit constrained resource. 

Adventus is earning 75% of the 22,000ha Curipamba copper-gold-zinc project from Salazar.

A Wheaton subsidiary has also paid C$800,000 (US$607,000) cash to Adventus for certain first rights relating to new precious metals royalties or streams over its interests in Curipamba and its Ecuador exploration alliance, as well as future projects acquired by Adventus in Ecuador.

Adventus updated El Domo's resource in January to an indicated 8.8 million tonnes grading 1.62% copper, 0.27% lead, 2.42% zinc, 2.34g/t gold and 48g/t silver; and an inferred 2.6Mt at 1.29% copper, 0.14% lead,1.51% zinc, 1.09g/t gold and 29g/t silver.

Salazar shares were unchanged at C12c yesterday, while Adventus rose 12.5% to 90c.