Mushima North discovery marks new phase

Tertiary Minerals Plc has embarked on an exciting new phase of exploration at its Mushima North silver-copper-zinc discovery in Zambia. This move comes after the promising results of the final Phase 4 drilling, which revealed that mineralisation extends deeper than previously anticipated.

In the final batch of Phase 4, three out of six Discovery Zone holes remained in mineralised rock when drilling ceased. Notably, one hole intersected 70 metres grading 31 grams of silver per tonne, 0.29% copper, and 0.25% zinc, while another returned 68 metres at 27 grams of silver per tonne, 0.15% copper, and 0.52% zinc. It is important to note that these figures represent downhole lengths, and their true widths are yet to be determined.

At the Western Zone, a separate area within the project, two scout holes confirmed the presence of shallow copper mineralisation. One of these holes cut 24 metres at 0.29% copper from 19 metres downhole, including a more concentrated section of five metres at 0.60% copper.

Richard Belcher, the managing director, expressed enthusiasm about the completion of Phase 4, which was the project’s largest drill programme to date. The primary goals were to increase drill density to support the upcoming Mineral Resource Estimate, to extend known mineralisation beyond the current Exploration Target, and to identify new copper mineralisation in the Western Zone.

Phase 5, which commenced on 8 November, involves diamond drilling with plans for up to four holes totaling approximately 1,000 metres. This phase aims to explore how far the Discovery Zone extends below the higher-grade section, testing vertical depths around 200 metres – double the depth of the current exploration target.

Tertiary is eagerly anticipating the initial metallurgical test results, which are expected soon. These results will play a crucial role in the creation of the first Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) mineral resource estimate for the Discovery Zone, targeted for completion by the end of the year.

The results from recent drilling efforts have been described as “incredibly compelling,” with the company keen to explore the depth extent of mineralisation and the potential for primary sulphide mineralisation. As Tertiary continues its exploration efforts, shareholders can expect updates on the progress of metallurgical testwork and the deeper drill programme in the near future.