New metallurgical testwork results from Core Resources provide insights into the potential of Prospect Resources’ Mumbezhi Copper Project in north-western Zambia.

View the full ASX announcement here or read the summary below.

As part of an ongoing collaboration with Prospect Resources (ASX: PSC), Core’s team undertook metallurgical analysis of fresh sulphide and transition zone samples from the Nyungu Central and Kabikupa deposits. The results reinforce the project’s potential as a robust, scalable development with a conventional processing profile.

Key Results

• High-grade copper concentrates were produced from both deposits:
  • Nyungu Central transition composite: 32.1% Cu and 9.1% Co at 81.4% recovery
  • Nyungu Central fresh composite: 24.6% Cu and 0.9% Co at 96.2% recovery
  • Kabikupa fresh composite: 27.5% Cu and 310 ppm Co at 95.3% recovery
• Preliminary gold values of 0.40g/t Au in Nyungu Central transition material suggest potential for payable gold credits (up to 29g/t Au in concentrate).
• All samples responded well to a standard flotation process at a coarse primary grind size of P80 250µm, reducing expected plant capital and operating costs.
• Copper mineralisation was found primarily as chalcopyrite and chalcocite, ideal for predictable and cost-effective processing.

 These results build on Prospect’s growing confidence in a centralised processing hub to treat ore from multiple zones within the Mumbezhi Project. Lower total graphitic carbon levels at Kabikupa remove the need for carbon depressants, further simplifying reagent requirements and lowering costs.

Compared to historical results from previous operators, this new phase of testwork demonstrates improved recovery, product grade, and potential revenue uplift, all crucial for de-risking project development and enhancing feasibility outcomes.

What’s Next

Phase 2 exploration, development, and drilling activities are currently underway, alongside a range of supporting technical studies. As part of this next stage, the assessment of gold potential will be expanded licence-wide, complementing the ongoing metallurgical programs. Upcoming work includes the completion of flotation testwork for Kabikupa transition materials and comminution testing for both Nyungu Central and Kabikupa.

In parallel, updates to the geometallurgical model framework for Nyungu Central are progressing in collaboration with consultants ERM Global.

Core Resources is proud to continue providing technical support for the Mumbezhi Project and looks forward to supporting future studies as the project advances.

Want to learn more about how Core supports projects like Mumbezhi?

Visit our Metallurgical Testwork Services page or get in touch with our team to discuss how we can support your project with high-quality, independent metallurgical testwork and process development expertise.