Nzilo Copper Project
A large-scale copper development opportunity in the Central African Copperbelt, advancing with its Pre-Feasibility Study underway and positioned for long-term value creation.
Project Overview
The Nzilo Copper Project is the flagship asset of Dilolo Metal and Resources and represents a significant large-scale copper development opportunity within the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Located within the Central African Copperbelt, one of the most prolific copper-producing regions globally, the project benefits from strategic positioning near major mining operations, established infrastructure, and regional export routes.
The project has demonstrated substantial scale through extensive exploration and technical advancement and is currently in Pre-Feasibility as part of the company’s broader development strategy.
- Geological Mapping: 416 points comprising 24 mapping points and 392 outcrop samples were recorded, trenching across outcrops and soil sampling.
- Regional Airborne Geophysics: strong evidence of the overall structure.
- Geochemical Sampling – 77 stream sediment samples were collected. 18 trenches were excavated. 491 pits of which 336 have analysis results for Cu and other elements. 518 rock samples were collected. 1,823 soil samples were taken.
- Drilling: 26 diamond drilling boreholes of depths between 34.5m and 497.3m were drilled.
- Average Cu content of between 0.8% and 1.7%
7.29Mt
Contained Copper
190
Boreholes Drilled
38,526m
Total Drilling Completed
0.48%
Average Copper Grades
JORC-Compliant Mineral Resource
The Nzilo Copper Project hosts a substantial JORC-compliant mineral resource, demonstrating both scale and development potential across multiple mineralised zones.
Main resource
The May 2026 mineral resource update outlines a combined resource of 1.505 billion tonnes at an average grade of 0.48% copper, containing 7.29 million tonnes of copper metal. This is an increase of 5.2% in tonnes and 2.5% in contained copper on the March 2026 estimate, with 68% of the resource now in the Measured and Indicated categories.
Geology & Mineralisation
The Nzilo Copper Project comprises multiple mineralised zones with strong geological continuity and significant scale.
Mineralisation is hosted within favourable stratigraphic units associated with the Central African Copperbelt and demonstrates consistent copper grades across both the Southwest and Northeast orebodies.
The project remains open for further exploration, with additional upside potential identified in under-drilled strike extensions and northern target zones.
Exploration Programme
Dilolo Metal and Resources commenced its structured exploration drilling programme in July 2024, significantly expanding the geological database and improving confidence in the mineral resource model.
The exploration programme has focused on systematic drilling, geological mapping, geochemical sampling, and geophysical interpretation to support resource growth and project advancement.
- 164 DMR boreholes completed
- 37,061 metres drilled
- 174 total boreholes in geological database
- 38,526 total metres drilled
Technical Advancement
Metallurgical Pathway
Metallurgical testwork confirms the deposit is a mixed leachable and refractory system (51:49 split) with three distinct metallurgical domains. Testwork by CM Solutions and SENET (DRA) has now defined the processing route for the Pre-Feasibility Study.
Key testwork results:
- Oxide ore: 60% of copper leached within 3 days – suited to heap leach and SX/EW
- Transition ore: over 90% of sulphide copper recovered by flotation, with tails to tank leach
- Sulphide ore: 94% rougher copper recovery by flotation at a coarse grind
- Expected products: copper cathode and copper concentrate
Open Pit Development Potential
Pit optimisation studies completed on the Northeast and Southwest orebodies confirm the project’s open-pit development potential.
Geotechnical work supports 40° pit slopes, while low strip ratios, good rock quality and simple orebody geometry support low-cost, efficient mining and consistent production. An indicative production profile shows a 30+ year mine life at up to 30 Mtpa plant feed, producing approximately 100,000 tonnes of copper per year.
Project Development Pathway
Timeline:
2024
Exploration drilling commenced
2025
Pit optimisation studies
2026
Updated mineral resource
2026
Pre-feasibility study underway
2027
PFS completion
2027–2028
Definitive Feasibility Study
Strategic Copperbelt Location
This positioning supports long-term project scalability, operational efficiency, and regional development opportunities.
