Meridian Updates Resources for Cabaçal and Santa Helena Central Deposits
Meridian Meridian (US:MRBK) TMX Newsfile·2026-01-20 11:30

Core Viewpoint - Meridian Mining plc has announced updated Mineral Resource Estimates for the Cabaçal and Santa Helena Central deposits, indicating significant resource potential and advancing towards a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) expected in Q4 2026 [2][7]. Group 1: Cabaçal Deposit - The updated Measured and Indicated (M&I) resource for Cabaçal is reported at 70.1 million tonnes (Mt) grading 0.6 g/t Au, 0.3% Cu, and 1.3 g/t Ag, totaling 1.3 million ounces (Moz) of Au, 0.5 billion pounds (Blbs) of Cu, and 3.0 Moz of Ag [3][8]. - The resource shows increases of 39.2% for Au, 14.2% for Cu, and 19.3% for Ag compared to the previous estimate [8]. - The Cabaçal deposit's M&I resources total 1.4 Moz Au, 0.6 Blbs Cu, 5.6 Moz Ag, 217.4 million pounds (Mlbs) Zn, and 49.9 Mlbs Pb [8]. Group 2: Santa Helena Central Deposit - The maiden open-pittable resource for Santa Helena Central is reported at 5.3 Mt grading 0.6 g/t Au, 0.4% Cu, 15.5 g/t Ag, 1.9% Zn, and 0.4% Pb, totaling 95.8 thousand ounces (Koz) of Au, 50.4 Mlbs of Cu, 2.6 Moz of Ag, 217.4 Mlbs of Zn, and 49.9 Mlbs of Pb [4][8]. - The resource remains open in all directions, indicating further exploration potential [4][8]. Group 3: Exploration and Development - Meridian has expanded its granted mineral rights across the Cabaçal, Jauru, and Araputanga Greenstone Belts, doubling its exploration portfolio [5]. - The company plans to initiate exploration activities across the Jauru and Araputanga Belts in 2026 while continuing to expand exploration programs along the Cabaçal Belt [5][7]. - The DFS for Cabaçal is on track, with metallurgical studies optimizing recoveries of Au, Cu, and Ag [8][51]. Group 4: Market Context and Commodity Prices - The updated resource estimates are based on CIBC Analyst Consensus Commodity prices of November 2025: Au at USD 3,103/oz, Ag at USD 35.34/oz, and Cu at USD 4.39/lb [6][44]. - The effective date of the Mineral Resource Estimates is December 31, 2025, reflecting current market conditions [32][42].