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Initial results from Phase 4 drill programme

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Tertiary Minerals plc has announced preliminary results from its Phase 4 drill programme at the Mushima North Project in Zambia, indicating a continuation of a higher-grade copper zone at Target A1. Initial portable X-Ray Fluorescence (pXRF) analysis of the first 12 drill holes suggests this zone is located in the north of the target area within near-surface oxide mineralisation. Significant drill intersections include 45m at 0.41% Cu and 0.28% Zn, with a higher-grade interval of 10m at 0.81% Cu and 0.35% Zn. Other notable results include 55m at 0.32% Cu and 0.29% Zn, and 73m at 0.29% Cu and 0.38% Zn. The company also reported high pXRF silver values of up to 214 g/t, though these are semi-quantitative and await laboratory confirmation. A total of 22 holes have been completed as part of the approximately 4,000m drill programme, with further results anticipated as analysis progresses.

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Initial analytical results from Phase 4 drill programme suggests continuation of higher-grade copper zone at Target A1, Mushima North

Tertiary Minerals plc (AIM: TYM) is pleased to announce preliminary results from portable X-Ray Fluorescence ("pXRF") analysis of drill samples from the first 12 drill holes at Target A1, Mushima North Project in Zambia ("Mushima North" or the "Project"). The results suggest the presence of a higher-grade copper zone located in the north of the target, within the near surface, lower grade, oxide mineralisation where the Company has an Exploration Target of 15-30 million tonnes at 40-60 g/t silver equivalent.

Highlights:

  • Higher-grade copper zone located in the north of the target area. Drilling currently underway to better define this zone.
  • Infill drilling so far supports current Exploration Target of the silver-copper-zinc oxide zone where the aim is to now delineate a JORC Mineral Resource Estimate.
  • High pXRF silver values of up to 214 g/t and broad intervals (>20 g/t) in line with previous pXRF results (the pXRF analysis for silver is semi-quantitative and so these values are indicative only).
  • Currently reporting only copper and zinc pXRF results and the certified silver results to follow laboratory analysis.
  • Drill intersections include (downhole widths, true widths unknown):
  • 45m at 0.41% Cu and 0.28% Zn from 12m downhole (26TMNRC-045).

§ Including: 10m at 0.81% Cu and 0.35% Zn from 42m downhole.

§ Including: 6m at 1.01% Cu and 0.26% Zn from 42m downhole.

  • 55m at 0.32% Cu and 0.29% Zn from 26m downhole (26TMNRC-049).

§ Including: 14m at 0.44% Cu and 0.32% Zn from 32m downhole.

§ Including: 25m at 0.36% Cu and 0.28% Zn from 52m downhole.

  • 73m at 0.29% Cu and 0.38% Zn from 25m downhole (26TMNRC-053).

§ Including: 20m at 0.48% Cu and 0.65% Zn from 76m downhole.

§ Including: 10m at 0.53% Cu and 0.68% Zn from 80m downhole

  • Samples now submitted to a certified laboratory and results expected in the coming weeks.
  • A total of 22 holes (for 2,175m) completed so far of the approximately 4,000m drill programme. pXRF results from the additional 10 holes drilled are expected imminently and further results will be announced on an on-going basis as the drill programme continues.

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

"We are excited to report the first set of pXRF results for copper and zinc from the initial drill holes of our Phase 4 drill programme where we are currently infill drilling to support the delineation of a JORC Mineral Resource Estimate. These results suggest the higher-grade copper and silver mineralisation intersected in drill hole 25TMNRC-043 (13m at 77 g/t silver and 1.46% copper) in the last programme likely continues.

"This is a very exciting start to this drill programme and we eagerly await the independent external laboratory analysis for these drill holes. Drilling continues and I look forward to providing additional updates as the drill programme progresses."

Drill Results

The preliminary results from the Company's internal analysis using a pXRF analyser supports the current extent of the oxide mineralisation contained within the Exploration Target, as well as intersecting higher-grade copper and possible silver mineralisation within the north of the Exploration Target. The potential extent and tenure of silver mineralisation is currently unknown as the pXRF results for silver are not sufficiently reliable to indicate average grades over known mineralised extents. Certified, independent laboratory analysis is currently underway to confirm silver values, along with copper and zinc and other potential, important accessory metals including bismuth, antimony and gallium.

Table 1. Significant Phase 4 pXRF intersections for copper and zinc at Target A1 (results to date).

Note:

  • Calculated intersections (down hole, true width unknown) are weighted averages based on copper (intervals start and end with ≥0.1% Cu, and the average grade cut-off is 0.1% Cu) or zinc (intervals start and end with ≥0.2% Zn, and the average grade cut-off is 0.2% Zn) and allow for up to 3m internal consecutive dilution.

Figure 1. Cross-section (location on Figure 3) showing pXRF copper results for drill holes 26TMNRC-048 and 26TMNRC-049.

Figure 2. Cross-section (location on Figure 3) showing pXRF copper results for drill holes 26TMNRC-045 to 26TMNRC-050.

Drill Programme

A total of 22 holes (for 2,175m) of the planned approximately 4,000m Reverse Circulation ("RC") drilling have been completed so far. Holes are planned as a series of east-west drill lines spaced approximately 100m apart (north-south). Holes will be collared approximately 50m apart along the east-west lines and drilled to vertical depth of up to approximately 125m (estimated maximum depth capability of the drill rig). Drilling is to be completed in two passes to allow preliminary results to support a more dynamic drill programme and the updating of our geological model as new data becomes available.

Sampling, Analysis and QAQC

Sampling from the drilling programme is being undertaken at 1m intervals and two subsamples are being collected from each interval using a riffle splitter: one for potential laboratory analysis, the other for future reference.

Samples are being initially analysed on site using a pXRF analyser for copper, zinc and silver. Analysis protocol includes the averaging of two analyses per sample (unprepared sample analysed through a thin plastic sample bag) and the inclusion of Certified Reference Material, blanks and duplicate samples as part of an internal Quality Assurance ("QA") procedure. Given the nature of the unprepared sample and point analysis, this method is being used as a preliminary exploration technique to provide an approximate quantitative measure of copper and zinc mineralisation only.

Reported drill hole intersection thicknesses are downhole thicknesses and true thicknesses are unknown. Intersections are weighted averages on zinc (using a cut-off grade of 0.2% Zn) or copper (using a cut-off grade of 0.1% Cu) with up to 3m internal dilution.

Figure 3. 3D geological model of Target A1 used to help derive the Exploration Target (500m long and 300m wide and 75m thick) located at the northern end of the copper-in-soil anomaly at Target A1. Planned drill holes are shown in blue (infill and extension drilling), completed holes from this programme (green) and earlier drill phases (yellow).

Target A1 Silver Oxide Discovery

The Company recently reported a JORC-compliant Exploration Target for Target A1 of between 15 and 30Mt with an average grade of between 40 and 60 g/t silver equivalent. As currently defined, Target A1 is a near surface, tabular body located within the oxide zone and is some 500m long, 300m wide and up to 75m thick (based on a lower cut-off of 25 g/t silver equivalent). However, the mineralisation remains open to the northwest, southwest and at depth and so the full geometry of the mineralisation remains to be determined. Further information on the Exploration Target can be found in the Company's announcement on 30 March 2026.

Mushima North Project

The Project lies 20km to the east of the Kalengwa Copper (-Silver) Mine in northwest Zambia, one of the highest-grade copper deposits ever to be mined in Zambia. In the 1970s, high-grade ore, averaging approximately 11% Cu copper, was trucked for direct smelting at other mines in the Copperbelt. The Kalengwa Mine is currently under redevelopment and is expected to produce 15,000 tonnes of copper annually.

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

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