Morocco Strategic Minerals has found gold, copper and silver at a new exploration site in the Western High Atlas. The company collected 48 rock samples at the Tamdghoust permit, north of the old Aït Zekri mine. The results have extended the known mineralised area by about 2.8km. Gold levels ranged from less than 0.05 grams per tonne to 2.57 grams per tonne. Fourteen of the 48 samples had more than 0.20 grams of gold per tonne.
The highest result was 2.57 grams per tonne from sample TM-GB-0006. Other samples returned 2.33, 1.68 and 1.37 grams per tonne. Another sample recorded 0.80 grams per tonne.
The samples also showed copper and silver in several areas.
One sample contained 4.27% copper and 193 grams of silver per tonne. Two other samples contained 2.57% copper and 88 grams of silver per tonne, and 1.69% copper and 57 grams of silver per tonne.
Several more samples had between 56 and 143 grams of silver per tonne.
The new findings are similar to the geology found at the Aït Zekri mine, according to the company.
Historical drilling at Aït Zekri has also provided evidence of gold mineralisation. GoldMinds Geoservices reviewed data from 18 old diamond drill holes covering about 2,019 metres.
One hole, SAZ-12, recorded 1.94 grams of gold per tonne over 5 metres. A 1-metre section within that interval reached 6.48 grams per tonne.
SAZ-13 recorded 1.99 grams per tonne over 6 metres. SAZ-17 returned 2.85 grams per tonne over 2 metres, including 5.06 grams per tonne over 1 metre.
The drill results are measured along the holes and do not necessarily show the true thickness of the mineralised zones.
The deepest mineralisation found so far is about 180 metres below the surface, in drill hole SAZ-9.
More work is needed to understand how far the mineralisation extends and how the deposits are connected.
The next phase will include more geological mapping, rock sampling and drilling. The company also plans work on several other targets in the Western High Atlas.
Preparations include reopening old mine workings, removing water from flooded areas, checking the safety of old sites and building access roads for exploration teams and equipment.
The company plans to start its first drilling programme before the end of 2026. The timetable depends on permits, site preparation and the availability of specialist contractors.
Afrilab in Marrakech analysed the samples. The company said its quality-control procedures were applied before the results were released.
Morocco Strategic Minerals has also granted 4.92 million stock options to its directors, officers and team members.
Each option allows its holder to buy one common share for C$0.25 over five years.
