TSX-listed Koryx Copper has provided an update on exploration activities in Zambia, where fieldwork has begun on both the Luanshya West and Mpongwe projects.

At Luanshya West, an initial diamond drill programme will begin before the end of September aimed at testing three or four targets with 2 500 m of drilling.

Drill holes will be inclined and test surface geochemistry anomalies, induced polarisation chargeability and resistivity features and structural targets to a vertical depth of 100 m to 250 m. The drill programme is expected to be completed by mid-December this year.

At the Mpongwe project, follow-up and in-fill soil sampling will be completed on targets identified during 2025 sampling programmes (at Lwabufubu, MP1 and MP2 targets), as well as completing regional soil sampling in the western parts of the licence which could not be sampled in 2025.

The sampling is expected to be completed in early November and will total about 3 000 samples.

Koryx says results and possible early onset of the rainy season will determine whether follow-up shallow drilling will be carried out late this year or be delayed until 2027.

“While the Haib project, in Namibia, remains our primary focus, our Zambian exploration programmes have made significant progress since Koryx’s management transition,” says Koryx president and CEO Heye Daun.

Daun explained that detailed magnetic surveying, soil sampling and pitting at Luanshya West have helped identify and prioritise four targets which the company will begin drilling this month, while regional sampling and Koryx’s reassessment of exploration data at Mpongwe have confirmed new targets for infill sampling to be completed later this year.

“We continue to be encouraged by the exploration progress and resource potential in Zambia and have therefore decided to accelerate our ownership in Koryx Copper Zambia which holds both Luanshya West and Mpongwe.

“This gives us greater flexibility to assess our strategic options to monetise the Zambian projects, while continuing to retain our operational and financial emphasis on the advancement of Haib.”

Meanwhile, Koryx has entered into an amended and restated option agreement with World Class Mineral Ventures.

Koryx, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Koryx Copper Mauritius, will increase its ownership interest in Koryx Copper Zambia (KCZ) from 51% to 80%, with no remaining contractual expenditure commitments to complete the earn-in.

KCZ holds 100% of two large-scale exploration licences at the Luanshya West project and the Mpongwe project located in the Zambian Copperbelt.