The company Soma Gold Corp. has formally filed the PTO permit application for its Nechí Project in the Department of Bolívar, Colombia. The application requests authorization under the PTO (Permiso de Trabajo de Obra) framework and represents a procedural advance on the path from development toward commercial mining. Nechí sits within reach of existing operations and has already been the subject of successful test mining campaigns whose mineralized material was processed at the Company’s nearby mill.
The Nechí area is an underground development opportunity located roughly 350 km from Medellín and about 65 km north of Soma’s El Bagre Complex. The property package includes three principal deposits—El Catorce, Santa Elena and Santa María—each of which has produced material that processed successfully at the El Bagre Mill. With pre-existing underground workings, management anticipates a quicker ramp-up once regulatory approval is granted.
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Nechí project and permit submission
Filing the PTO is a pivotal administrative step intended to unlock sustained production from Nechí. The submission consolidates technical studies, operational plans and community engagement commitments required by the permitting authority. Soma emphasizes that these materials build on prior test-mining results and the logistical advantages of adjacent infrastructure. The goal of the application is to convert the project’s development stage into a permitted operation able to supply consistent feed to existing processing capacity.
Operational impact and production outlook
Management projects that, upon permit approval, the Nechí Mine will add approximately 250 tonnes per day of feed into the El Bagre Mill. This incremental throughput is expected to translate into roughly 25,000 gold equivalent ounces per year, based on the Company’s internal production models. Such an addition would strengthen Soma’s short-term output profile by leveraging existing milling capacity instead of requiring new, large capital facilities.
Feed and mill synergy
The proximity between Nechí and Soma’s processing sites creates a clear synergy: mined material can be routed to the Company’s permitted mills with limited additional logistics. The existing underground workings at Nechí are cited as a practical benefit that can shorten the timetable to steady-state production. By optimizing haulage and mill scheduling, Soma intends to integrate Nechí feed into routine plant operations and maximize utilization of the El Bagre asset.
Production estimates and growth contribution
Estimated annual production of about 25,000 gold equivalent ounces positions Nechí as a meaningful contributor to Soma’s Colombia strategy. While forecasts are subject to standard technical and economic variables, the Company views the permit as a catalyst to scale output without materially increasing fixed processing overhead. These projections support the broader corporate plan to grow through the development of nearby deposits and by using internally generated funds to finance exploration.
Company footprint, governance and next steps
Soma Gold operates over 430 sq. kilometers of mineral concessions along the OTU fault in Antioquia and runs two fully permitted mills located within 25 kilometers of one another, with a combined nameplate capacity of 675 TPD. The El Bagre Mill has a capacity of 450 TPD, while the El Limon Mill returned to operations in Q3 2026. The Company has stated that regional exploration continues to be funded from operating cash flow, reinforcing a self-financed growth approach that pairs development with community and environmental commitments.
Soma also holds an exploration asset near Tucuma in Para State, Brazil, which is currently under option to Ero Copper Corp.. The Company reiterated its focus on sustainable practices and local stakeholder engagement as integral to project advancement. Soma expects regulatory approval for the Nechí PTO before the end of 2026, subject to the normal timelines and requirements of Colombian authorities.
On governance and compliance matters, Soma reminds readers that trading symbols include TSXV: SOMA and OTC: SMAGF, with a WKN of A2P4DU. The Company also provides the standard caution that forward-looking statements contained in communications are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual outcomes to differ materially from current expectations. The TSX Venture Exchange and its Regulation Services Provider do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
