Ariana Resources PLC (AIM:AAU) has announced the results of recent due diligence drilling at the Apliki project in Cyprus.
Ariana has completed its earn-in to 50% of Venus Minerals Ltd, which is in discussions with leading Cypriot mining company Hellenic Copper Mines regarding a 50:50 joint agreement for the development of Apliki.
Venus is focused on the exploration and development of copper and gold assets in Cyprus.
Significant drill results include 44.5 metres grading 0.77% copper from a depth of 51.5 metres, and 28 metres grading 0.86% copper 16 metres.
"These drilling results confirm Venus' expectations of the Apliki copper project in Cyprus,” said Dr Kerim Sener, managing director of Ariana Resources.
“The results have yielded several high-grade copper intercepts within an overall envelope comprising mineralisation which appears to be represented by dominantly oxidised material containing secondary sulphides. This bodes well for the proposed hydrometallurgical recovery of copper from the Apliki area utilising the same processing plant which was previously located at the nearby Skouriotissa operation.”