Switch Metals Plc (AIM:SWT) shares climbed in Tuesday morning's trade after it announced that processing of bulk eluvial material at its Issia project in Côte d'Ivoire is progressing as it works toward a maiden mineral resource estimate.
The company said washing through its pilot wash plant continues “at pace,” with about 40% of the first sample set processed, while geological and resource modelling has started in parallel. It expects initial pXRF screening results within the next few weeks and said the maiden MRE remains on track for Q1 2026.
“Following commissioning of the pilot wash plant, we are now well into the washing and evaluation phase of the maiden resource programme at Issia," chief executive Karl Akueson said.
He added: “Geological and resource modelling has commenced in parallel, enabling us to efficiently progress towards our maiden Mineral Resource Estimate.”
Switch said Issia is a 1,015 square kilometre district-scale tantalum project and the maiden MRE will focus on a small part of the 112 square kilometre Badinikro permit, with more than 400 tonnes of samples collected to date.
In London, Swtich shares were slightly higher by mid-morning at 12.09p - despite changing hands at as as 14p in early exchanges.