Critical Mineral Resources on the Path to Validating 25 Million Tons of Copper
Critical Mineral Resources (CMR), a British company, is making significant strides in its copper mining project located in Agadir Melloul, situated south of Taliouine. The current drilling operations are confirming the economically viable potential of the site, which aligns with the initial forecasts made by the company. CMR is set to complete its drilling program aimed at certifying the resources of the deposit, with plans to commence production as early as 2027.
According to Charlie Long, CEO of Critical Mineral Resources, "Agadir Melloul continues to exhibit shallow copper mineralization over very encouraging widths, and the increasing consistency we are observing in the core samples strengthens our confidence in the project's vast potential." The drilling program is progressing at a rate of 1,200 meters per month and continues to validate the initial model, which estimates a volume of 25 million tons of copper resources available for extraction.
Located approximately 50 kilometers east of the significant Tizert copper mine operated by the Managem group, the Agadir Melloul project shares similar geological characteristics with Tizert, including the same geological age, type of mineralization, and host rock. The Tizert mine is estimated to hold about 130 million tons of resources, indicating strong comparative potential for the new site.
Future Prospects and Development Timeline
Given the results obtained thus far, CMR believes that the Agadir Melloul copper project possesses considerable growth potential, especially due to several mineralized veins that, once drilled, could enhance the overall resources of high-grade ore. The current exploration success rate, defined internally by a copper grade exceeding 0.30%—the cutoff grade indicating economic viability—has reached approximately 27%, surpassing the project's initial target set between 5% to 10%.
In order to maintain its timeline and aim for production startup next year, CMR has established a tight schedule. The company plans to finalize the resource estimation by September 2026, followed by the completion of the feasibility study and obtaining environmental approval by December 2026. CMR's strategy aims to secure over 25 million tons of certified mineral resources according to recognized standards, which includes the establishment of a mining block encompassing at least 100 square kilometers of copper-sedimented land, already encompassing two exclusive perimeters.
As reported by medias24.com.
