Midnight Sun Mining announced Monday that Rio Tinto Mining and Exploration has commenced its initial 2021 exploration campaign on Midnight Sun’s Solwezi Licences in Zambia.
According to the statement, Rio Tinto is in Stage 1 of the previously announced earn-in and joint venture agreement. The initial 2021 work program budget is USD $3,200,000 and is expected to be completed in late June. Results of this exploration work will dictate the additional budgets for 2021.
President and CEO Al Fabbro commented, “After a lengthy rainy season and dealing with the difficulties of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are excited for Rio Tinto to begin the 2021 work program. With the bulk of this initial budget committed to drilling, this has the potential to be a very pivotal season for Midnight Sun and the Solwezi licences.”
The Solwezi licences are comprised of two individual exploration licences totalling 506 square kilometres, situated in the North-Western Province of Zambia on the prolific Zambia-Congo Copper Belt and adjacent to Africa’s largest copper mining complex, First Quantum’s Kansanshi mine.
