Some 200m below the Vermelhos mine the company intersected 13.8m grading 2.62% copper, including 4m grading 5.52% copper. At Curaca Valley, highlights included 25m grading 1.02% copper in the Terra do Sal system and 13.6m grading 1.24% copper in the C4 system.

The company said the high-grade lens discovered 200m beneath current infrastructure of the Vermelhos mine gave a line of site towards being able to extend the high-grade production profile.

Exploration is focused on developing multiple targets in parallel within the company's exploration portfolio with potential to meaningfully augment each phase of its life-of-mine production plans.

"Our teams have identified and developed a comprehensive portfolio of ongoing projects with positive implications throughout our life of mine plans that, in my mind, are beginning to crystallise the real potential and inherent optionality of the Curaca Valley," said president and CEO David Strang.

Ero Copper has 23 drill rigs working in the Curaca Valley.

Shares in Ero Copper are trading at C$24.65, valuing the company at $2.2 billion.