Copper. Critical Mineral Resources on track to validate a 25-million-tonne resource at Agadir Melloul

The British company Critical Mineral Resources (CMR) is about to complete its drilling program aimed at certifying the resources of the deposit, with a view to starting production in 2027.

"Agadir Melloul continues to show shallow copper mineralization over very encouraging widths, and the increasing consistency we observe in the cores reinforces our confidence in the project's significant potential," said Charlie Long, CEO of Critical Mineral Resources.

The drilling program is progressing at a rate of 1,200 metres per month and continues to validate the initial model, which estimates the presence of a volume of 25 million tonnes of copper resources.

Located south of Taliouine, the project lies approximately 50 km as the crow flies east of the major Tizert copper mine, operated by the Managem group. It also presents characteristics similar to those of the Tizert mine (same geological age, same type of mineralization, same host rock), whose resources are estimated at 130 million tonnes.

Based on the results obtained, CMR believes that the Agadir Melloul copper project has strong growth potential, particularly thanks to several mineralized veins which, once drilled, are expected to enhance overall resources with higher-grade ore.

The drilling success rate, defined internally by a copper grade above 0.30% (cut-off grade, i.e. the level at which mining becomes viable), currently stands at around 27% and already exceeds the project’s initial target, set at between 5% and 10%.

To meet its timeline and aim for a production start next year, CMR has set a tight schedule. In the coming months, the company plans to finalize the resource estimate in September 2026, followed by the completion of the feasibility study and the securing of environmental approval in December 2026.

CMR’s strategy is to secure more than 25 million tonnes of certified mineral resources under recognized standards. To achieve this, the company is building a mining block of at least 100 km² of copper-bearing sedimentary terrain, already including two areas under exclusivity.