MTR.L Share News (MTR)

(ShareCast News) - Strategic natural resource investor Metal Tiger updated the market on Tuesday, on its joint venture project with ASX-traded partners MOD Resources in the Kalahari Copper Belt in Botswana.The AIM-traded firm said the T3 deposit pre-feasibility study work had started, with drilling recommencing on 7 January with two diamond core rigs and one reverse circulation drilling rig in operation for the various related work streams.In the wider T3 project area, Metal Tiger said there were an additional 11 identified drilling targets within the 983 square kilometre T3 Dome exploration area.An extensive soil geochemistry programme of around 11,000 samples was currently underway, the company's board reported, targeting the 60km strike of the T3 Dome structure.A three-dimensional induced polarisation geophysics survey was commencing on Tuesday at the T3 Deposit, which Metal Tiger said was to characterise the mineralised host sequence and aid in the identification of additional or deeper drilling targets along the T3 Dome.Magnetic geophysics modelling including a 3D Inversion of low altitude, close spaced magnetic data was also underway, and resource extension diamond drilling was set to commence on 100m sections directly east and west of the planned T3 pit, with six holes currently planned.Diamond drilling would follow up base metal sulphides intersected by previous RC drilling up to 2km west of T3."We are delighted to report that the various resource extension and pre-feasibility study related work streams are now underway following the field team's well deserved seasonal holiday," said Metal Tiger chief executive Michael McNeilly."Drilling recommenced with two diamond [rigs] and one RC rig tasked with gathering data for constituent studies including resource extensions, hydrological and geotechnical studies and additional metallurgical testing."McNeilly said that whilst the core technical team was focussed on delivering the T3 PFS, the company was not losing sight of the significant upside represented by its licence holding over the remainder of the prospective T3 Dome."We believe that the T3 deposit may potentially form part of a much larger sediment hosted copper footprint in the Kalahari Copper Belt."He explained that to that end, the joint venture was continuing to invest in geochemical sampling, geophysics and follow-up investigation work in its wider licence holding."Cognisant that the remainder of the T3 Dome landholding, and the wider licence portfolio have the potential for hosting additional T3 type deposits ... we look forward to the prospect of announcing further, encouraging, progress reports in the near future."