Rabat – Mining company Critical Mineral Resources PLC (CMR) has announced major progress at its Agadir Melloul copper project, including the acquisition of new permits, exclusivity agreements, and the start of drilling.
The company says this marks a key step in turning the project into a significant new source of copper and silver.
The project, located about 240 kilometers east of Agadir, is being developed through a joint venture with Coppernicus Mining Company (CMC). Together, the partners now hold six permits in the district and have secured exclusivity over six more, giving them what CMR describes as a “dominant position” in Agadir Melloul.
CMR is working toward a 60% stake in the project. The company aims to confirm an exploration target of 150,000 to 200,000 tons of copper at an average grade of 1.2%.
Surface trenching has already revealed high-grade results, including 27 meters at 2.9% copper and 25 grams per ton of silver, said the company in a press release.
The mining company also said that Metallurgical tests showed 80% copper recovery and 61% silver recovery. Early plans include building an open-pit mine producing 750 to 1,000 tons per day.
Drilling is expected to begin within the next two weeks, with assay results to follow shortly after.
The company says Agadir Melloul has similar geological features to Morocco’s 130-million-ton Tizert copper project, located 55 kilometers to the west. Copper at Agadir Melloul is found in sedimentary rocks, mainly in limestone and dolomite, and includes minerals such as chalcopyrite, bornite, and malachite.
CMR CEO Charlie Long called the deal a “game changing transaction” for the company. This “moves CMR from rock-kicking explorer to project developer with an awesome asset,” he said.
Russell Tucker, another company director, spoke about the district-wide opportunity. “We now have six important permits and district control,” he said. “Now our job is to build the resource and an open pit mine, and to continue drilling out the district as we pursue a strategically important discovery.”
The project is being led by CMR’s Moroccan team, with support from local technical and geological service providers, including Afrilab in Marrakesh. Roads and power already reach the site, making it easier to move forward with drilling and development.
CMR says the Agadir Melloul project could become a significant new copper and silver resource for Morocco, with both near-term mining potential and long-term exploration upside.