Tertiary Minerals Completes Initial Drilling at Mukai Copper Project in Zambia

AIM-listed Tertiary Minerals has completed an initial scout drilling program at its Mukai copper project in Zambia, marking a significant step forward in early-stage exploration efforts. The program included three diamond drill holes totaling approximately 554 metres.

The company reported that drilling intersected near-surface anomalous copper mineralisation, as well as thick intervals of anomalous nickel mineralisation.

Two of the drill holes targeted a broad copper-in-soil anomaly, while the third focused on understanding the geology of the Tirosa Basin. Large parts of the copper and nickel soil anomalies, as well as the broader basin, remain untested.

The Mukai project is being explored under an agreement with First Quantum Minerals (FQM), which is managing exploration during its 24-month due diligence period. Mukai lies adjacent to FQM’s producing Trident project, enhancing its strategic importance.

“The cost-effective surface sampling conducted in 2023, combined with the project’s proximity to FQM’s Trident mine, confirmed Mukai as a high-priority drill target,” said Tertiary Minerals Managing Director Richard Belcher.

He explained that two drill holes were located on the basin margin within Lower Roan Subgroup siliclastic sediments, forming the footwall to the target units.

The third was drilled from within the basin, passing through the Upper Roan into the Lower Roan (footwall) geology.

“With only one hole having tested the target units and much of the soil anomaly still untested, we believe there is significant upside potential at Mukai,” Belcher noted.

Tertiary is now working closely with FQM to determine the next phase of exploration. Belcher also confirmed that FQM’s work to date, including drilling and preparatory studies, meets its minimum Year 1 expenditure commitment of $500,000 as outlined in the agreement.