JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – JSE-listed diversified miner Metorex plans to conclude a prefeasibility study (PFS) on its Lubembe copper growth project, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where it declared a maiden 1,5-million ton resource on Thursday, during 2011.

“We are encouraged by the outcome of the resource estimate at Lubembe with total contained copper of over 1,5-million tons. In line with our base-metals growth strategy, we will continue to advance the PFS to establish the viability of building a large-scale operation at Lubembe,” said CEO Terence Goodlace.

Metorex was focusing on the development of its Musonoi/Dilala East, Kinsenda and Lubembe prospects, in the DRC, to grow its overall copper output.

Further exploration drilling at the Lubembe deposit was being planned and additional expenditure was being committed for environmental, mine design, metallurgical test-work and engineering design studies, stated Metorex.

The company also owned the Ruashi copper and cobalt project, in the DRC.