Tertiary Minerals has proposed drilling programmes for the Mukai, Mushima North, and Jacks copper projects in Zambia.
It said positive soil sampling results were recorded from both the Mukai and Mushima North copper projects this year and similarly at the Jacks project in 2022, following an initial drill programme.
“The foundations we have laid in 2023 will stand us in good stead as we progress to the exciting drill-discovery stage and have generated joint venture interest in a number of our projects, the first of which we hope to finalise soon at Konkola West," said Tertiary executive chairperson Patrick Cheetham.
After collecting 526 samples at Mukai in August, a portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) analysis revealed a huge high-grade copper-in-soil anomaly with values over 160ppm copper over an area of 1,300m by 400m and a peak soil value of 1,660ppm copper (0.16%).
The soil anomaly suggests copper mineralisation from FQM's nearby Tirosa property.
A September soil survey at Mushima found three promising possibilities, C1, A1, and A2.
At a 60 ppm copper cut-off, soil sample pXRF data from target C1 show a broad west-northwest striking anomaly 4km long by 1.25km wide, while traditional Copper belt sediment-hosted mineralisation is possible at targets A1 and A2.
The company's first drill programme at Jacks confirmed and relocated copper mineralisation originally discovered in the 1960s.
Four holes totalling 746m were drilled on two traverses 150m apart.
Significant intersections were 13.5m grading 0.9% copper and 6.0m grading 1.8% copper.
Meanwhile, Cheetham said the fundamentals for future copper demand are strong, and the existing mine supply is on a downward trajectory.
“This creates a huge opportunity for copper explorers and miners that, I believe, has been overlooked by the junior and mid-tier market in the rush for the new generation of energy metals such as lithium and rare earths,” said Cheetham.
“In contrast, this supply problem has been recognised by all the major mining companies, and Zambia has been the beneficiary of substantial new investment in exploration, mine expansion, and redevelopment, encouraged by new government fiscal policies."
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor in Chief of the African Bureau, Rough&Polished
