London-listed Xtract Resources has started a diamond drill programme at Silverking (Licence 26673-HQ-LEL) in Zambia.

The programme has set a number of objectives aimed at advancing the development of the project.

Silverking is subject to an option and joint venture agreement with Oval Mining, enabling Xtract to earn-in up to a 70% interest in the Silverking copper mine and accompanying exploration licence located in the Mumbwa district of the Central province of Zambia.

Drilling objectives include testing the depth extension of the main high-grade pipe; establishing the true mineralised width of the main pipe (where historic drilling ended in mineralisation); and testing wall rock alteration around the more massive high-grade copper sulphide body to establish the scope for future lower grade bulk tonnage copper-bearing mineralisation.

It would also look to evaluate a second pipe structure where very limited historic drilling failed to intersect the pipe structure.

Moreover, the company hopes to identify the source of ground magnetic anomalies located close to the main pipe which may represent mineralised offshoots from the main structure; and will test a new anomaly that was, until recently, located outside of the expanded licence area.

To facilitate development planning, drilling is also expected to generate sufficient spatial data to allow for a high-level estimate of the potential cumulative tonnage of mineralisation.

“We are fortunate to have a project that features small-scale historic mining activity where the highest grade most easily accessible copper mineralisation was extracted to shallow depths determined by water level.

“We therefore have had an opportunity to study the mineralised body, to understand the geological and physical features that resulted in the pipe structure and to roll this knowledge out across the licence to find similar targets for evaluation,” executive chairperson Colin Bird says.

“At this juncture, the final depth of mineralisation on the main pipe is unknown and the purpose of this first hole is to determine the trending shape and depth continuity for a guide to potential future mine development which we intend to fast-track.

“We perceive a simple high-grade openpit to be the outcome and if practical depth is exceeded, we will consider underground extension from the openpit. Open dimensions will be driven principally by grade, tonnage and the orebody morphology,” he explains.