Arc Minerals Ltd, an Africa focused copper company, said it started its maiden exploration programme at its Virgo project in Botswana.
A soil geochemistry survey is currently underway.
"Following the acquisition of Alvis-Crest (Propriety) Ltd late last year the team has reviewed the previous work carried out in the respective license areas and put forward our maiden exploration programme to further refine our geological understanding before commencing with an exploratory drill programme,” said executive chairman Nick von Schirnding.
“These licenses lie within and adjacent to the highly prospective Central Structural Corridor of the Kalahari Copper Belt (KCB) and within 10km and 50km of Khomecau [Copper Mining]’s Zone 5 and Banana Zone copper projects respectively, known as the two largest copper projects on the KCB.”
In November 2021, Arc acquired a 75% interest in Alvis-Crest, the holder of two prospecting licences known as the Virgo project.
A reinterpretation of the geology at the PL 135/2017 license, mostly under cover of the Kalahari Sands, suggests the existence of a fold crest running through the middle of the license area, with favourable soil geochemistry that itself is already a target of interest, said the London-listed company.
It added that a reinterpretation of the geology at the PL 162/2017 license has refined geological understanding and the position of the Ngwako Pan (NPF) and D'Kar (DKF) contact, indicating the need complete a soil geochemistry survey in the south-eastern margin of the license area.