Midnight Sun Mining Corp (TSX-V:MMA, OTCQB:MDNGF) told investors it has kicked-off an exploration program at the Kazhiba Target, part of its Solwezi Property in Zambia.
It’s a collaboration with First Quantum Minerals (TSX:FM) under a cooperative exploration plan, and, it aims to define near-surface oxide copper resources.
If successful, new resources could potentially supply First Quantum's Kansanshi Mine which is less than 10 kilometers from the property.
The 2024 exploration program includes 3,000 meters of reverse circulation drilling, partial ionic leach sampling, and an induced polarization (IP) survey.
The drill program will cover an extensive copper oxide target, with planned holes reaching approximately 50 meters in depth.
Kazhiba has already shown promising results. Past drilling campaigns have intersected multiple high-grade copper oxide deposits, including 14.2 metres of 5.71% copper and 24 metres of 3.15% copper.
The high-grade near-surface opportunity offers the potential for further expansion beyond areas already drilled.
"I am pleased to have our team hit the ground running at Kazhiba,” chief executive Al Fabbro said in a statement.
“This target features a high-grade oxide copper blanket, which provides us with a remarkable opportunity to provide feed to the Kansanshi mine operations.
“With targets at Kazhiba and Mitu, we have identified and seized an opportunity to unlock near-term production, and with success, realize significant near-term, sustained cash flow.”
Al Fabbro, meanwhile, added: “Our cooperative exploration plan with First Quantum forms a key part of our two-fold attack plan to realize the value of both sedimentary-hosted copper targets as well as oxide copper targets across our property.”