Aim-listed Tertiary Minerals says that, following the compilation and review of historical data provided under a data sharing and technical cooperation agreement with First Quantum Minerals (FQM) and completion of exploration planning for the 2023 field season, FQM’s data suggests exploration potential for both copper and nickel at the Mukai project, in Zambia.

Having completed its data acquisition, evaluation and exploration planning for the upcoming 2023 dry season, Tertiary has also released a “project focus” presentation on Mukai.

The Mukai copper/nickel project is located in the Domes region of the Zambian Copperbelt, a region that is home to three major copper mines.

Mukai is said to be strategically located, adjoining FQM’s Trident project, which incorporates the Sentinel copper mine complex and the recently opened Enterprise nickel mine.

It is also west of Arc Minerals’ Zambian copper project where Anglo American has the right to invest up to $88.5-million to earn a 70% joint venture interest.

Mukai is one of two projects held by Tertiary which benefit from the technical cooperation and data sharing agreement with FQM, and an extensive database has now been made available by FQM to the company, Tertiary highlights.

The database includes airborne magnetic, electromagnetic and radiometric data, geological interpretations over the licence area, as well as proprietary soil sampling and drilling data from areas contiguous to FQM’s own licences.

This data led to FQM’s discovery of copper and nickel mineralisation at the Tirosa prospect immediately adjacent to the Mukai property boundary and historical soil sample anomalies suggest that this mineralisation may continue into the Mukai licence.

Tertiary’s 2023 exploration programme will begin with a property-wide soil sampling programme with real-time field analysis and field follow-up of anomalous areas as well as more detailed work adjoining the Tirosa prospect.

The company says it is awaiting approval of its environmental project brief from the Zambian Environment Management Authority and the issue of a forest permit to allow exploration to begin.