Tertiary Minerals plc (AIM: TYM) has reported further encouraging assay results from Phase 4 drilling at its Mushima North Project in Zambia, with all seven newly reported holes intersecting near-surface silver-copper-zinc mineralisation.
The latest results from the Discovery Zone at Target A1 have extended the known mineralisation at depth, with the majority of the holes ending in mineralisation, suggesting the system remains open below the limits of the current drilling.
Highlights
- All seven reported holes intersected near-surface silver-copper-zinc mineralisation
- 67m at 40g/t silver, 0.10% copper and 0.30% zinc, equivalent to 51g/t silver equivalent, from 19m
- 82m at 37g/t silver, 0.11% copper and 0.54% zinc, equivalent to 53g/t silver equivalent, from just 7m
- 46m at 41g/t silver, 0.19% copper and 0.65% zinc, equivalent to 63g/t silver equivalent, from 8m
- Higher-grade zone includes 22m at 90g/t silver, 0.13% copper and 0.44% zinc, equivalent to 105g/t silver equivalent
- Further high-grade intersections include 12m at 104g/t silver equivalent and 11m at 110g/t silver equivalent
- Several holes finished in mineralisation, indicating potential for further extensions at depth
- Results provide additional support for the existing 15–30 million tonne Exploration Target grading 40–60g/t silver equivalent
- Further certified laboratory results are expected over the coming weeks.
The Phase 4 programme comprised 39 reverse-circulation holes totalling 3,639 metres, with drilling at the Discovery Zone designed to increase confidence in mineralisation continuity, test the boundaries of the Exploration Target and further define the higher-grade zone.
The latest results are particularly significant because the majority of the reported holes ended in mineralisation. Tertiary said this pushes the known depth beyond the envelope used for the existing Exploration Target, while the potential transition from the current oxide mineralisation into underlying sulphide mineralisation remains untested.
Exploration Target
Tertiary has previously defined a JORC-compliant Exploration Target at the Discovery Zone of 15–30 million tonnes grading 40–60g/t silver equivalent.
The currently defined near-surface body extends approximately 500 metres long by 300 metres wide and up to 75 metres thick, but remains open to the northwest, southwest and at depth.
Richard Belcher, Managing Director of Tertiary Minerals, commented:
“Results from our infill drilling continue to increase our confidence on the extent and continuation of grade within the Exploration Target at the Discovery Zone, with intersections including 82m at 53 g/t silver equivalent (0.88% copper equivalent) from only 7m below surface.”
Belcher highlighted that the majority of the latest holes ended in mineralisation, extending the known depth beyond the previously defined Exploration Target envelope, while both the ultimate depth and potential transition into sulphide mineralisation remain to be tested.
