Aterian Plc, a UK-headquartered company specializing in the exploration and development of critical metals, has announced it will soon begin its first drilling program at the Agdz Copper-Silver Project in Morocco. The project, which spans 34.5 square kilometers, is located in the eastern Anti-Atlas mountains to the east of Ouarzazate.
The program will involve 1,000 to 1,200 meters of reverse circulation (RC) drilling, with an initial phase planned to include ten drill holes. An RC drilling rig has already been set up at the site, and preparations such as access upgrades and drill pad installation are currently underway.
The drilling program at the Agdz Copper-Silver Project will focus on the Makarn – Makarn North Prospect, with a strike length of 2.80 km, which has shown promising historical results with up to 8.00% copper and 448 g/t silver. Another focus will be the Amwaro Prospect, with a 2 km strike length, and significant sample grades of up to 4.82% copper, 189 g/t silver, and 1.90 g/t gold. The program will also examine the Minière Prospect, a smaller 0.15 km strike zone with historical samples indicating up to 13.05% copper and 12 g/t silver. Drilling will also target the Daoud Prospect, covering 0.70 km, which has demonstrated sample grades of 2.71% copper, 152 g/t silver, and 2.96 g/t gold.
The four areas were selected based on their potential for high-grade mineralization and geophysical anomalies.
“We are excited to begin drilling at the Agdz Copper-Silver Project and look forward to receiving initial assay results by the end of the third quarter,” Charles Bray, Chairperson of Aterian Plc said. He pointed out the strategic location of the project, noting “its proximity to infrastructure such as the Noor-1 solar power plant and the recent upgrades to regional roads.”
The drilling program will evaluate the economic potential of the mineralization, assess the down-dip continuity of the surface mineralization, and generate geological and geochemical data to refine the deposit model and interpret geophysical anomalies.
The Agdz Copper-Silver Project is wholly owned by Aterian’s subsidiary, Aterian Resources Limited, and is located approximately 350 km south of Rabat and 35 km east of Ouarzazate.
The site has access roads and is about 40 km away from Morocco’s Noor-1 solar power station.