Talisman Metals PLC (AIM: TLM) has reported significant copper and silver channel sampling results from its Tirzzit Project in Morocco, strengthening the case for a potentially extensive sediment-hosted copper-silver system ahead of planned drilling.
The latest work follows the discovery of a new zone of outcropping copper mineralisation announced in July and has extended the demonstrated lateral continuity of the mineralised horizon by a further 70 metres.
The standout result was 1.69 metres grading 2.62% copper and 41.54ppm silver, while another channel returned 2.78 metres at 2.16% copper and 41.76ppm silver.
Other significant results included 1.80 metres at 2.26% copper and 11.95ppm silver, 0.90 metres at 1.36% copper and 29ppm silver, and 1.47 metres at 1.05% copper and 22.96ppm silver.
Six of the seven channels sampled returned values above the company’s 0.3% copper cut-off grade across a 300-metre strike length, with reported true widths ranging from 0.90 metres to 2.78 metres.
Importantly, the newly identified target is around 500 metres from previously exposed mineralisation to the south, while Talisman believes the overall prospective strike extends for at least four kilometres.
Multi-element analysis also identified anomalous barium, lead, zinc, cobalt and manganese associated with the copper-silver mineralisation, which the company said is characteristic of sediment-hosted stratiform copper-silver systems.
Chief executive Tim McCutcheon said the new outcrop had produced “exciting grades” and would be a key focus of Talisman’s planned drilling campaign.
He added that the distance between the new target and previously known mineralisation, combined with the project’s overall strike length, reinforced the company’s view that Tirzzit represents a large area of exploration interest.
Tirzzit is located approximately 225 kilometres east of Agadir and comprises two mining licences covering 16.5 square kilometres.
Historic drilling conducted between 1972 and 1976 included reported intersections of 3.16% copper over 2.5 metres and 0.60% copper over 11.4 metres.
Talisman is reviewing historic drilling and geophysical data as it prepares its exploration programme, with the latest high-grade surface results expected to help define targets for the company’s planned drill campaign.
