Tertiary Minerals Plc, a London-listed mineral development company with operations spanning the US, Zambia, and northern Europe, has commenced drilling operations at its Mukai copper project in Zambia. The exploration phase comes on the back of necessary clearances from the Zambian Department of Forestry and support from the local Musele Royal Establishment. These approvals have allowed the company’s technical partner, First Quantum Minerals Ltd, to initiate the first phase of a targeted drill programme, aimed at determining the project’s copper resource potential.
The Mukai drilling initiative forms part of a broader data-sharing and technical collaboration between Tertiary Minerals and First Quantum. In pursuit of an earn-in agreement, First Quantum is required to define a minimum threshold resource of 80,000 tonnes of copper, a milestone that would grant the company an interest in the project. The first phase, which is projected to involve up to six diamond drill holes, represents an initial step toward resource quantification in an area characterised by its high geological promise.
Patrick Cheetham, Chairman of Tertiary Minerals, expressed appreciation for the expeditious approval process facilitated by the Department of Forestry, noting that extensive consultations with the Musele Chiefdom have been instrumental to the project’s progression. “We are grateful for the engagement and support provided by the Musele Royal Establishment, as well as the efficiency shown by the Department of Forestry,” Cheetham commented, underscoring the essential role of community and regulatory stakeholders in advancing the project. “Our partnership with First Quantum has been collaborative, and we are pleased to see drilling commence in swift order following the necessary approvals.”
This new drilling activity at Mukai adds to Tertiary Minerals’ growing footprint in Zambia, where it has also reported recent progress at the Mushima North copper project. Last week, the company announced that initial drilling at Mushima North had yielded promising signs of copper and zinc mineralisation across significant sections, offering early indications of the area’s potential resource base.
In addition to its projects in Zambia, Tertiary Minerals is simultaneously advancing exploration efforts in Nevada, United States, at the Brunton Pass project, as part of its multi-continental approach to mineral development. These developments mark a period of concentrated activity for the company, as it seeks to expand its resource portfolio and capitalize on its existing asset base in regions rich in copper and other critical minerals.
The company’s shares closed at 0.075 pence on the London Stock Exchange, marking an intraday rise of 3.45%, albeit still trailing 38% below its position a year prior. The broader market outlook remains watchful, given the increased investor interest in companies targeting minerals critical for green technology applications. However, Tertiary Minerals, with its current series of drilling programmes, is positioning itself as a potential contributor to this growing demand in the global copper supply chain.
In partnership with First Quantum, Tertiary Minerals stands poised to evaluate and potentially develop Mukai as part of Zambia’s extensive mineral portfolio, leveraging the country’s copper-rich geology within a framework of sustainable and community-engaged practices. For both companies, the success of the Mukai project will rest on the results of the initial drilling phase, as they seek to define a resource that aligns with both commercial viability and the country’s regulatory standards.
