As copper prices soar, some Aussie juniors are increasingly willing to brave crippling water shortages, soaring acid costs and sparse infrastructure across South America for a shot at uncovering giant, near-surface copper-gold right next to global mining titans. Driven by massive global demand from electric vehicles and AI data centres, players such as Hot Chili, Southern Hemisphere Mining, Norfolk Metals, Rio2 and Flagship Minerals are proving that navigating the high-stakes Andean gauntlet can deliver monumental paydays.
