Cobre Advances Botswana Copper Projects with Equinor Collaboration and Robust Drilling Results
Cobre Limited deepens its footprint in Botswana’s Kalahari Copper Belt through a new partnership with Equinor to optimise in-situ copper recovery at Ngami, while drilling campaigns at Ngami and Okavango reinforce mineralisation continuity and highlight fresh exploration targets.
- Collaboration agreement signed with Equinor for ISCR optimisation at Ngami
- Commissioning underway for Ngami Copper Project ISCR well field
- Strong assay results confirm copper-silver continuity at Cosmos Target
- Partner-funded exploration advances at Okavango with Sinomine and BHP
- Seismic surveys completed at Kitlanya projects with drilling planned
Equinor Partnership Targets In-Situ Copper Recovery Breakthrough
Cobre has inked a collaboration deal with Norwegian energy giant Equinor to evaluate lixiviant performance and in-situ copper recovery (ISCR) parameters at its wholly owned Ngami Copper Project (NCP). Equinor’s expertise in dynamic flow modelling and low-carbon energy solutions will support Cobre’s efforts to optimise copper extraction using ISCR, a process that could unlock significant value by recovering copper directly from ore bodies underground.
The partnership leverages Equinor’s international footprint and technical prowess, potentially accelerating the development of a demonstration plant at NCP. This aligns with Cobre’s strategy to advance near-term production opportunities while maintaining a strong exploration pipeline.
Ngami ISCR Well Field Commissioning Marks Development Milestone
Commissioning of the NCP ISCR well field has commenced, including initial water injection and flow testing. This well field represents the first stage of the planned ISCR demonstration plant, a critical step toward project de-risking and feasibility studies. The demonstration plant aims to validate hydrogeological models and copper recovery processes, setting the stage for potential production.
Community engagement activities have also been completed as part of the ongoing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), reflecting Cobre’s commitment to sustainable development and stakeholder consultation.
Drilling Confirms Continuity and Higher-Grade Zones at Cosmos Target
Assay results from five diamond drill holes at the Cosmos Target within NCP confirm copper-silver mineralisation continuity over an 800-metre strike length. Each hole intersected higher-grade zones exceeding 1% copper, reinforcing the prospectivity of the area. Notable intersections include 5.84 metres at 0.5% Cu with a 0.79-metre interval grading 1.44% Cu and 18.6 g/t Ag (NCP67), and 5.42 metres at 0.55% Cu with 2.42 metres at 1.04% Cu (NCP68).
The Cosmos Target lies just 8 kilometres from the Comet Deposit, which holds an indicated and inferred resource of 11.5 million tonnes at 0.52% Cu and 11.6 g/t Ag. The drilling results bolster confidence in the broader NCP Exploration Target, estimated between 205 and 308 million tonnes at 0.31 to 0.46% Cu and 5.5 to 8.3 g/t Ag, while supporting both underground mining and ISCR development pathways.
Partner-Funded Exploration Advances at Okavango Copper Project
Following a successful initial drilling phase, Cobre and earn-in partner Sinomine have commenced follow-up target drilling at the Okavango Copper Project (OCP). Assay results from five of nine completed holes reveal anomalous copper mineralisation, including native copper, indicating active mineralised systems along strike from MMG’s Zone 5, Zone 5 North, and Plutus projects.
Three priority target areas have been identified for further drilling: OCP15–OCP21 near Zone 5 North, OCP14 near Zone 5, and OCP18–OCP19 near Plutus. The mineralisation intersected so far is interpreted as part of a halo surrounding a mineralising system, with upcoming drilling aimed at delineating higher-grade zones.
Seismic Surveys Complete at Kitlanya Projects with Drilling Next
Under a US$25 million earn-in agreement with BHP, Cobre has completed processing and initial interpretation of 2D seismic surveys across the Kitlanya East and West projects. These surveys have mapped basin structures and identified potential traps for copper-silver mineralisation, setting the stage for a subsequent round of targeted drilling.
The Kitlanya projects occupy strategic positions on the margins of the Kalahari Copper Belt, where structural traps and fold hinges may host larger-scale sediment-hosted copper deposits.
Strategic Exposure to Two Major Copper Districts
CEO Adam Wooldridge emphasised that while Cobre remains focused on advancing production at the Sierra Atacama Copper Project in Chile, the Botswana portfolio offers significant upside through near-term development and high-impact exploration. The company’s assets straddle two globally significant copper districts; the IOCG belt in northern Chile and the Kalahari Copper Belt; combining established production with promising discovery potential.
Ongoing workstreams, backed by partner funding and independent research, aim to deliver a balanced pipeline of projects at various stages, from exploration to demonstration and potential production.
Bottom Line?
Cobre’s multi-pronged Botswana strategy, anchored by Equinor collaboration and robust drilling results, positions it well for advancing ISCR technology and expanding copper resources, though further drilling and feasibility work remain critical.
Questions in the middle?
- How will Equinor’s research outcomes influence the timeline and design of the NCP ISCR demonstration plant?
- What are the next steps and timelines for converting the NCP Exploration Target into a formal Mineral Resource Estimate?
- To what extent will partner-funded exploration with Sinomine and BHP accelerate discovery and development at OCP and Kitlanya?
