Metal Tiger plc has provided an update regarding the company’s JV project with partner MOD Resources Ltd in the Kalahari Copper Belt in Botswana (70% MOD Resources/30% Metal Tiger). Encouraging early results of T3 Underground Project mining study supports the initiation of a 30-hole Resource drilling programme targeting high-grade veins with underground mining potential. The T3 Underground Scoping Study is set for completion by Q3 2018. Assay results are in from a further 8 diamond drill holes received. Downhole intersection highlights include Hole MO-G-82D with 7.2 m @ 1.9% Cu and 39 g/t Ag from 219 m. To date 45 holes at T3 have returned significant vein hosted copper mineralisation intersections below, down-dip and along strike from the planned T3 Open Pit.

Michael McNeilly Chief Executive Officer of Metal Tiger commented: “We are very encouraged by the initial findings of the T3 Underground Project investigations and the prospect that room-and-pillar underground mining of the high-grade copper/silver veins, developed simultaneously to the planned T3 Open-Pit mine could make a substantial contribution to the T3 profitability. Sharing a planned central scalable processing plant at T3 between both the T3 surface and underground mining operations and possible neighbouring deposits is an attractive proposition in the precursory modelling. With the current drilling programme yielding reliably consistent vein intersections the JV has agreed to initiate a 30-hole infill drill programme targeting an underground mine resource project and to work towards the release of a T3 Underground Project scoping-study by mid-2018.”

South African mining consultants have been conducting initial investigations into the potential viability of a T3 Underground Project with the underground mining of the high-grade veins below and along strike from the planned T3 Open Pit. They are also researching the potential economic benefits that underground mining would add to the open-pit.

The initial T3 Underground Project concept includes:

• Room-and-pillar mining of the good continuity, shallow-dipping, high-grade veins, with in-ore development.
• Developing T3 Underground simultaneously with T3 open-pit production.
• Use of shared infrastructure including the planned scalable T3 Processing Plant (as reported on 3 October 2017 the current Planned Process Plant design is for 2.5 Mt/y but will allow for a possible future expansion of up to 4.0 Mt/y).
• Targeting ore production and margin rather than extending overall mine life (modelled at 10 years).

The T3 Underground Resource Drilling Programme is now planned based on underground potential:

• Planned 30 diamond hole programme will drill-out an underground Resource.
• Drilling with three rigs over a 1.7km strike length on 100 m spacing with 50 m infill where required, is expected to commence early 2018.
• Results will feed into a T3 Underground Project scoping study, targeted for release by Q3 2018.

Regional exploration will continue throughout H1 2018 with numerous geophysical and geochemical anomalies targeted for drill testing, within the circa 1,000 km² T3 Dome area surrounding the T3 Deposit.