Critical Mineral Resources plc’s operations faced setbacks at the start of year, from adverse weather and a rig breakdown, resulting in 720 metres’ core drilling at Agadir Melloul in central Morocco.
MRE
The contractor rig which had “mechanical issues” has since been replaced and two diamond drill rigs are currently operating with drilling rates “exceeding” 50m per day”.
The company’s own rig is performing “extremely well” and operating “near full capacity”.
Critical expects to reach 1,000m drilling during March, before subsequently increasing to 1,200m per month.
“The drilling programme is being actively managed as the geological model evolves, enabling work to focus on the most prospective zones identified to date,” said the company.
The Agadir Melloul copper-silver licence comprises Zone 1 and Zone 2, where core samples continue to show “visible sulphide mineralisation”.
The samples are due to be submitted for analysis, with results expected in mid to late April.
Critical is targeting an inaugural JORC mineral resource estimate in September 2026 from a small area of the licence, representing “less than 5% of the total project area”.
Approval for an environment impact assessment for a processing plant is due by year end.
Chief executive officer Charlie Long added: “In parallel with the drilling programme, a number of important development workstreams are progressing, including metallurgical testing, process design and environmental studies.
“These activities are designed to support the delivery of a maiden JORC mineral resource later this year and to advance the project towards feasibility.
“Agadir Melloul continues to demonstrate the characteristics of a potentially significant copper system, with shallow mineralisation, encouraging grades and considerable exploration potential across the wider licence area.”