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Update: Konkola West Copper Project, Zambia

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KoBold drilling update on Konkola West copper project; first hole reached 2,711m with anomalous copper values; second hole progressing.

  • KWDD001 depth 2,711m
  • KWDD001 copper value (232-233m section) 2,950ppm over 1.05m
  • KWDD001 copper value (2,670-2,695m section) up to 1,050ppm
  • KWDD002 depth as of 19 June 2025 1,343.7m
  • Pre-mining endowment of Musoshi, Lubambe and Konkola Mines over 775Mt grading 2-3% copper
Full announcement

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Tertiary Minerals plc (AIM: TYM) is pleased to provide the following update on the current drill programme being undertaken by a subsidiary of KoBold Metals ("KoBold") at its Konkola West Copper Project ("Konkola West" or the "Project"), Zambia. KoBold has the right to earn into the Project by drilling two drill holes for a minimum of 2,000m (for further details see below and the Company's news release dated 19 December 2023).

KoBold is targeting the potential continuations of mineralisation being mined at the world-class Musoshi, Lubambe and Konkola Mines, which had a pre-mining combined endowment of over 775Mt grading 2-3% copper. KoBold's large and high-grade Mingomba copper project is located approximately 5km to the northeast of the Project.

Drilling Update

KWDD001

Hole KWDD001 was collared in the northeast of the licence and was drilled to a depth of 2,711m where it was terminated due to continued technical difficulties prior to reaching the targeted horizon (Ore Shale, Copperbelt Orebody Member). KWDD001 is believed to be the deepest mineral exploration drill hole to have ever been drilled in the Zambian Copperbelt and marks a significant milestone within the industry.

Full geochemical assay results have now been received for part of the hole (107.9m to 1837m and 2,664m to 2,711.6m). The remaining assays (0m to 107.9m and 1,837 to 2,664m) are expected from the external laboratory shortly.

Visible copper mineralisation, as reported in the Company's news release dated 31 March 2025, returned anomalous copper values commensurate with the observed visual estimates of chalcopyrite and bornite:

  • 232.23m - 233.28m: 2,950ppm copper over 1.05m.
  • 2,670m - 2,695m: copper values of up to 1,050ppm.

The wider geochemical data is being used to further the understanding of fluid dynamics, aiding stratigraphic correlation, and characterize alteration within the target sedimentary basin.

KWDD002

Hole KWDD002 is collared on the eastern side of the licence and is targeting down-dip extensions of known mineralisation (Figure 1). KoBold commenced drilling of KWDD002 on 26 March 2025 and drilling has progressed, as of 19 June 2025, to a depth of 1,343.7m. The drilling company has successfully employed navigational drilling to control drilling deviations and KoBold is satisfied with progress so far. The hole intersected the expected geology as planned and is currently within breccia units considered to be of the Upper Roan Subgroup which lies above the targeted Lower Roan Subgroup.

Further Agreements

Under the Earn-in Agreement (and first amendment), KoBold is required to complete two holes and a minimum 2,000m of drilling within 18 months of signing the Earn-in Agreement.

In the circumstances, Tertiary Minerals (Zambia) Limited and its local partner, Mwashia Resources Limited, have agreed with KoBold to extend this 18-month period by an additional six months (17 December 2025) to allow time to compete the second hole and receive all the data, including assays.

Richard Belcher, Managing Director of Tertiary Minerals plc, commented:

"We remain extremely excited about our involvement in this ground-breaking project located only a few kilometres from the nearby Musoshi-Lubambe-Konkola mine trend, and only 5km from KoBold's own Mingomba project.

"The second hole is progressing towards the expected mineralisation intersection depth and we look forward to updating shareholders as the hole advances."

Mfikeyi Makayi, Chief Executive Officer, KoBold Metals Africa, commented:

"KoBold has been drilling continuously since executing the earn-in agreement with Tertiary Minerals (Zambia) Limited and Mwashia Resources Limited, and we look forward to seeing the results of our second hole as it nears the target horizon. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners on the project."

Project Summary

Konkola West (Licence 27067-HQ-LEL and 38615-HQ-LEL) is located approximately 5km to the southwest of KoBold's Mingomba deposit, which forms part of the Lubambe-Mingomba-Konkola copper deposits of the Zambian Copperbelt. The aim of the drill programme is to test the potential continuations of mineralisation being mined and the World-Class Musoshi, Lubambe and Konkola Mines (combined pre-mining endowment of over 775Mt grading 2-3% copper). KoBold's Mingomba project, is reported by KoBold to be one of the largest undeveloped copper deposits in the world. KoBold is using its propriety AI-driven models of the regional geology to support its mineral exploration targeting.

Earn-In Agreement

The Earn-In Agreement is between Tertiary Minerals (Zambia) Limited, its local partner, Mwashia Resources Limited, and KoBold.

Under the Earn-in Agreement (including the amendments), KoBold is required to drill two holes and a minimum 2,000m of drilling within 24 months of signing the Earn-in Agreement.

In addition, a provision of the Earn-In Agreement has been made to ensure that KoBold's newly granted adjacent Large Exploration Licence, 38615-HQ-LEL, will also be held under the terms of the Earn-in Agreement for the benefit of all the parties.

Cleaned text: letterheads, contacts and legal notices removed. View the original announcement ↗ · Company filings. Not investment advice.

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