Angkor Resources Corp. has announced the results of a scientific study that provides strong evidence for a porphyry copper-molybdenum system at the Thmei North target on its Andong Bor mineral exploration license in northwest Cambodia. The study, conducted by the Economic Geology Laboratory at Kyushu University in Japan and the Institute of Technology of Cambodia, analyzed drill core and identified alteration and mineralization patterns typical of porphyry deposits, which supply most of the world's copper. The findings are significant because they validate the company's exploration model and provide a clear guide for the remaining 1,700 meters of drilling planned for early 2027, potentially unlocking a major copper-molybdenum deposit in a region not previously known for such systems.
The study identified three stacked alteration zones at Thmei North: a deep potassic zone formed by the earliest, hottest fluids where most copper was deposited; a chlorite-serite zone above it that preserved and added copper; and an upper phyllic zone that appears to lack mineralization. Copper minerals, mainly chalcopyrite, occur in veins within both diorite and hornfels host rocks, and are also disseminated in the diorite. Molybdenite, the primary ore mineral of molybdenum, was found within the copper-bearing potassic zone. Fluid inclusion analyses revealed that the main copper-bearing veins formed at temperatures between 300 and 415 degrees Celsius, and evidence of boiling suggests a process commonly associated with metal deposition in porphyry systems. These results are detailed in a series of tables and figures, including Table 1: Alteration zones at Thmei North and their relationship to copper. and Table 2: Vein sequence at Thmei North, from earliest to latest.
The study's conclusions align with assay results previously reported by Angkor Resources from Thmei North drill core. For instance, hole ABDDH16-005 returned 108 meters of 0.53% copper equivalent from 282 to 390 meters, predominantly in potassic-altered mudstone, while hole ABDDH16-008 intersected 46 meters of 0.51% copper equivalent from 5 to 51 meters in potassic-altered porphyritic diorite dykes. These results, announced in ANGKOR CONFIRMS 108 METRES OF 0.53% COPPER EQUIVALENT AT ANDONG BOR, CAMBODIA, December 13, 2022, highlight the consistency between the academic study and the company's own data. The study gives the exploration team a clearer guide for placing the remaining 1,700 meters of drilling planned in early 2027, following the 1,099 meters completed in mid-2026. Holes will be drilled to the east to intersect the mineralized structures and will test the potassic and chlorite-serite zones at depth, using the study's alteration model to pass through the phyllic zone. This approach is expected to better target the copper-rich zones, as outlined in ANGKOR RESOURCES DRILLS INITIAL PROGRAM AT ANDONG BOR COPPER-GOLD TARGET, CAMBODIA - Angkor Resources Corp.
The implications of this study are substantial for Angkor Resources and for Cambodia's mining sector. The Andong Bor license, covering 100.28 square kilometers, is located within the Loei Fold Belt, a geological formation that hosts several significant gold, skarn, and porphyry deposits in Southeast Asia. The confirmation of a porphyry copper-molybdenum system at Thmei North not only de-risks the exploration target but also enhances the potential for a large-scale, long-life mining operation. Copper is a critical metal for the global transition to renewable energy, and molybdenum is used in high-strength alloys. The partnership with Kyushu University and ITC also underscores Angkor's commitment to building Cambodia's geoscience capacity. As the company advances its exploration activities, further details can be found at angkorresources.com. The study, while not a NI 43-101 technical report, provides a strong scientific foundation for the next phase of drilling, which could ultimately lead to the definition of a mineral resource and contribute to Cambodia's economic development through responsible resource extraction.
The next steps include the completion of the 2,800-meter Thmei North drill program, with the remaining 1,700 meters to be drilled in early 2027 once fields are dry and crops harvested. Core from the first phase has been logged, sampled, and sent for assay, with samples prepared as shown in Figure 3: Angkor staff prepare samples from latest drilling at Andong Bor for analysis and assay. The company also plans to continue activity on Thmei South in 2027. With the study's insights, Angkor Resources is well-positioned to target the most prospective zones, potentially leading to a significant discovery that could transform the company and the region's mining landscape.
