CANADIAN exploration company Trigon Metals has been awarded €5 million (about N$100 million) for a research project being funded by the European Union (EU).
A statement issued by the company on Monday says Trigon’s Kalahari Copper project is one of only three projects being funded under the Unified Novel Deep Exploration for Critical Ore Discovery (Undercover) research initiative to enhance the responsible supply of raw materials.
Trigon acquired the Kalahari Copper project in November 2023.
The research programme will span three years, starting from 1 January 2025, focusing on developing innovative methods for the successful exploration of critical raw materials under cover.
The Kalahari Copper Project, a joint venture project between Trigon and Ongwe Minerals, covers 765 000 hectares within the highly prospective Kalahari Copper Belt in Namibia, the western extension of the highly prospective copper belt in Botswana.
Commenting on the funding, Trigon Metals chief executive and executive chairman Jed Richardson says: “It’s an honour to be selected to participate in such an innovative and potentially transformative project. We look forward to working with all parties to achieve the ambitious goals of Undercover.”
The expansive Kalahari sand cover across much of the project area has necessitated a strategic exploration approach, and exploration research advancements achieved through the Undercover project will support these efforts.
The EU’s ambitious goals as outlined in the Critical Raw Materials Act, NetZero Industry Act and the European Green Deal will lead to an increase in critical raw material demand.
To meet that demand, the utilisation of the deposits buried deep in the bedrock needs research and development. The Geological Survey of Finland is coordinating the EU Horizon Europe project in the exploration of deep critical raw materials.
The project aims to develop deep critical raw material exploration by transforming the mineral systems concept into the first viable strategy for systematically exploring critical raw material deposits hidden deep under cover or in the bedrock.
The project brings together 16 partners from Finland, France, Germany, Czech Republic, Portugal, Namibia, and Canada.
The consortium includes geological surveys, universities, research institutes, exploration companies, industrial clusters, and small and medium enterprises, highlighting a strong network of international and European cooperation.
“This collaboration fosters the exchange of knowledge and expertise across borders, aiming at a comprehensive approach to deep mineral exploration.
“By leveraging the strengths of each partner, the project aims to achieve significant advancements in sustainable raw material exploration,” says Jochen Kamm, research professor at the Geological Survey of Finland.
Trigon continues to advance the sale of Kombat Mine near Otavi to Horizon Corporation.
Trigon and Horizon have begun collaborating on mine planning and management, working towards completion of the definitive documentation.
– email: matthew@namibian.com.na
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