Critical Mineral Resources PLC (LON: CMRS) has commenced drilling at its Agadir Melloul copper-silver project in Morocco, a key milestone as it works towards establishing its first mine and potentially unlocking a resource of international scale.
The first phase of the programme will involve 6,000 metres of diamond drilling, targeting shallow copper-rich layers that outcrop at surface, while also probing deeper formations in the underlying Precambrian basement known to host mineralisation. CMR’s goal is to define enough material to support a small-scale mine producing 750–1,000 tonnes per day, while laying the foundations for a larger operation over time.
Chief executive Charlie Long said the company was “very excited about our first drill programme, as we build a resource and fundamental value for our shareholders,” adding that the immediate focus is on the grade and geometry of the deposit.
The initial exploration target has been set at 150,000 to 200,000 tonnes of contained copper at an equivalent grade of 1.2%. This figure is based on a conceptual model using an average thickness of two metres across a four-square-kilometre area, typical of sedimentary copper systems found in regions such as Central Africa, Poland and the American Southwest. Mineralised zones are expected to range between 1.5 and over five metres, with most lying between two and 2.5 metres in thickness.
The rocks being tested are shallow and gently dipping, allowing most drill holes to reach target depth with vertical holes of less than 50 metres. Combined with flat terrain and good road access, these conditions are expected to keep exploration costs low.
Drilling is being carried out with a rig supplied by a local contractor alongside a second rig being shipped from western Canada. The campaign will use HQ core drilling, providing material suitable for detailed geological, structural and metallurgical analysis. Fifty drill pads have already been prepared, a process completed in just a few days due to favourable topography. Samples will not only establish grade and width but also provide insights into stratigraphy, petrology, and metallurgy, key factors in evaluating extraction potential.
CMR, listed on the London Stock Exchange, is developing its first Moroccan project in what it views as a geologically attractive jurisdiction, strategically placed to supply raw materials to Europe. The company acquired an 80% stake in Atlantic Research Minerals in 2023, followed by a joint venture in 2025 giving it the right to earn up to 60% of Agadir Melloul.
Focused on copper and other critical minerals essential for electric vehicles, renewable energy and modern power infrastructure, CMR is advancing its project against the backdrop of what many see as a copper supply-and-demand supercycle, driven by electrification and constrained new supply.
