Termite hill sampling aids Prospect’s Phase 2 drill planning at Mumbezhi

Fieldwork is continuing to deliver impressive results in the lead up to Phase 2 drilling at the Mumbezhi copper project in Zambia.

Termite hill sampling is proving an effective exploration tool for Prospect Resources at the Mumbezhi copper project. Pic: Getty Images

• Termite hill sampling defines a 400m x 400m undrilled bullseye geochemical anomaly at Nyungu South

• Prospect has established it as a priority target for Phase 2 drilling

• The next stage of drilling is set to kick off next quarter

 

Special Report: Termite hill geochemical sampling by Prospect Resources at the Mumbezhi copper project in Zambia has helped outline new priority targets ahead of Phase 2 drilling set to begin in Q2.

Throughout February, field teams completed a comprehensive termite hill sampling programme over a 6km² area, covering the entire expanse of the historical Nyungu South chargeable IP anomaly.

Of 1,213 termite hill samples collected from Nyungu South, 65 were anomalous (≥150 ppm Cu), with 30 samples being highly anomalous (≥200 ppm Cu) and peaking at 442 ppm Cu.

A 400m x 400m bullseye geochemical Cu anomaly at Nyungu South has been interpreted by Prospect Resources (ASX:PSC) as a new walk-up drilling target for the Phase 2 programme in an untouched area.

Nyungu South is at the southern end of the 16km-long Nyungu ‘corridor’ in the western part of the Mumbezhi tenure.

Interestingly, the anomaly is about a kilometre northwest of 2012 drilling conducted by Argonaut, which missed the latent prospectivity at the northern extent of Nyungu South’s chargeable IP anomaly.

‘High priority status’

PSC managing director Sam Hosack said the identification of this bullseye anomaly delivered further validation of the strong prospectivity of this target and its high-priority status for drill testing.

“We are excited about getting the rigs turning again next quarter and testing this region, along with the other high-potential targets we have generated, including within the Nyungu North and West Mwombezhi prospect areas,” he said.

The re-interpreted Anglo American IP data from 2001 and supporting Cu termite hill geochemical sampling provides a compelling new drill target at Nyungu South, in much the same fashion as was defined and successfully drilled by the company at the Kabikupa deposit last year.

Pic: Prospect Resources

What now?

PSC believes that the combination of 3D geophysical IP data sets and termite hill geochemical sampling is a cost-effective and relatively quick exploration tool for assessing the Cu prospectivity over its large land holding at Mumbezhi.

By extension, the company says it is also a useful exploratory method for prioritising drill targeting across the tenure.

Field exploration teams have mobilised to complete geochemical sampling over the strike extensional areas adjacent to Nyungu Central, infill work at Nyungu North and will then move to West Mwombezhi, targeting the prospective chargeable and resistivity IP anomalies previously defined there.

Phase 2 drilling is scheduled to kick off in Q2, targeting mineral resource expansion work at the existing Nyungu Central and Kabikupa deposits.

A comprehensive programme of first-pass, exploratory scout drilling is also planned for the large Nyungu North and West Mwombezhi targets.

Metallurgical work is underway on a drill hole completed in October 2024 at the Nyungu Central deposit, with first results expected in May.

Copper ambitions

Zambia is Africa’s second largest copper producer, with ambitious goals of reaching 3Mt of copper production by 2031, which is one reason discoveries like Prospect’s see strong support from government, with two large mining licences having recently been granted over Mumbezhi.

The nation appears very interested in attracting new investors and is counting on the mining sector to drive its economic growth in the wake of its worst drought in living memory last year.

This article was developed in collaboration with Prospect Resources, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.

Originally published as Termite hill sampling aids Prospect’s Phase 2 drill planning at Mumbezhi