Tertiary Minerals plc (AIM: TYM) has discovered a new shallow copper-mineralised zone at its Mushima North Project in Zambia, approximately 900 metres west-southwest of the existing Discovery Zone at Target A1.
Preliminary pXRF analysis from scout drilling at the newly named Western Zone returned a headline intersection of 25 metres at 0.38% copper from 19 metres downhole, including 13 metres at 0.53% copper from 29 metres and 3 metres at 0.75% copper from 33 metres.
The discovery is significant because it lies well outside the current Discovery Zone exploration target, which contains an estimated 15 million to 30 million tonnes grading 40-60 g/t silver equivalent. The existing target remains open to the northwest, southwest and at depth.
Initial indications suggest the Western Zone may contain predominantly copper mineralisation, rather than the silver-copper-zinc mineralisation encountered at the Discovery Zone. However, Tertiary stressed that the results are based on preliminary pXRF readings and still require confirmation through certified laboratory assays.
The discovery emerged from Tertiary’s recently completed Phase 4 programme of 39 reverse-circulation holes totalling 3,639 metres. Further pXRF results from seven holes, including additional Discovery Zone drilling and the first scout hole at Target A2, are expected shortly.
Managing Director Richard Belcher said the Western Zone supports the company’s geological model that Mushima North could host a substantially larger mineralised system than currently delineated. Tertiary is targeting a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate before the end of 2026.
