Prospect Resources Limited (ASX: PSC) (“Prospect” or the “Company”) has delivered further strong metallurgical results from its flagship Mumbezhi Copper Project in north-western Zambia, with new testwork from the Kabikupa deposit producing high-quality copper concentrates with excellent recoveries.
The latest results reinforce the technical potential of Mumbezhi and support the development of a simple, conventional processing approach designed to maximise operational efficiency and capital cost advantages.
The Company announced that the first metallurgical testwork on Kabikupa transition and low-grade fresh mineralisation achieved copper recoveries above 94%, producing premium concentrate grades after only a single cleaning stage.
Prospect Managing Director and CEO, Sam Hosack, said the results further strengthened confidence in the project’s future.
“The Mumbezhi deposits continue to demonstrate their amenability to an established, conventional and simple processing flowsheet delivering attractive recoveries and excellent concentrate product quality,” Mr Hosack said.
Kabikupa Metallurgical Testwork Confirms Strong Copper Recovery
Figure 1: Kabikupa drill plan highlighting the location of the dedicated metallurgical testwork drill hole. [Image Credit: Prospect Resources]
The latest programme tested composite samples from the Kabikupa deposit within Mumbezhi, which Prospect owns through a 90% interest. The work was completed by independent process consultants Core Metallurgy Pty Ltd in Brisbane, Queensland.
The testwork examined two key mineralisation types:
- Kabikupa transition zone composite
- Kabikupa low-grade fresh sulphide zone composite
The transition zone sample delivered a copper concentrate grade of 31.9% copper at 94.7% copper recovery following only one cleaning stage.
Table 1: Kabikupa transition composite flotation test results after final processing
The low-grade fresh zone composite also produced a strong outcome, achieving a concentrate grade of 25.0% copper at 94.3% copper recovery after a single cleaning stage.
Table 2: Final flotation test results for the Kabikupa low-grade fresh composite sample
These results demonstrate that Kabikupa mineralisation responds well to a conventional flotation process and supports Prospect’s broader development strategy for a centralised processing facility at Mumbezhi.
Figure 2: (Left): Copper concentrate produced from the Kabikupa low-grade fresh composite, with chalcopyrite identified as the dominant copper mineral; (Right): Copper concentrate generated from the transition composite containing a mixture of copper mineral species. [Image Credit: Prospect Resources]
The Company stated that the flowsheet (discussed in the next section) used during the programme remained consistent with previous successful testwork completed on Mumbezhi materials, including Nyungu Central fresh and transition material and Kabikupa high-grade fresh ore.
Simple Processing Flowsheet Provides Cost Advantages
Figure 3: Flowsheet illustrating the Kabikupa metallurgical testwork programme. [Image Credit: Prospect Resources]
A key feature of the latest testwork was the successful use of a coarse primary grind size of P80 250 micrometres.
A coarser grind can potentially reduce energy consumption and improve project economics by lowering future processing costs. Prospect highlighted that this approach could have positive implications for future plant capital and operating costs at Mumbezhi.
The Kabikupa samples required only a straightforward flotation route, with rougher concentrate reground before a single cleaning stage.
The transition composite achieved results using a nine-minute rougher flotation period, while the low-grade fresh composite used a 12-minute rougher flotation period. Both tests applied a xanthate collector at pH 9 before concentrate cleaning.
The rougher concentrates were reground to P80 75 micrometres, followed by a single cleaning stage at pH 10.5.
Mumbezhi Project Gains Momentum in Zambia’s Copper Belt
The Mumbezhi Copper Project sits within the world-class Central African Copperbelt region of north-western Zambia.
The Project covers approximately 356 square kilometres across two granted Large Scale Mining Licences and lies close to several major mines hosted within similar geological settings.
Figure 4: Map showing Mumbezhi Copper Project location within Zambia’s Central African Copperbelt. [Image Credit: Prospect Resources]
Prospect has continued advancing exploration and development activities at Mumbezhi, with drilling programmes targeting additional copper mineralisation.
In May 2026, the Company delivered an updated JORC-reportable Mineral Resource estimate for Mumbezhi of 208.1 million tonnes at 0.42% copper (0.49% copper equivalent) for 877,000 tonnes of contained copper.
The strong metallurgical results add further support to the project’s potential as a future large-scale copper development.
Mr Hosack said the latest outcomes increased confidence in Mumbezhi’s technical foundation.
“These most recent results from Kabikupa reinforce our conviction in the strong economic potential of the Mumbezhi Project,” he said.
He added that the combination of a simple processing route, coarse primary grind size and potential gold and cobalt by-product revenues represented “robust technical and financial levers for Mumbezhi.”
Further Exploration and Studies Underway
Prospect continues to expand its technical understanding of Mumbezhi through ongoing metallurgical and exploration programmes.
Further metallurgical activities include evaluating gold and cobalt recoveries at Nyungu Central, completing additional comminution testwork and updating the geometallurgical model framework with ERM Global.
The Company is also progressing its Phase 3 exploration programme, targeting additional Mineral Resource growth within the Nyungu Hub, and testing high-potential regional targets across its extensive licence holdings.
Mr Hosack noted that drilling activities remained focused on unlocking further growth.
“Our Mumbezhi Phase 3 exploration programmes are also progressing strongly,” he said.
“Drilling this year is targeting additional Mineral Resource growth within the ‘Nyungu Hub’, as well as testing of large-scale, high-potential regional targets across our large licence holdings.”
Investor Outlook
Prospect Resources continues to strengthen its position as a copper-focused explorer and developer in Africa, with the latest Kabikupa testwork providing another positive milestone for the Mumbezhi Copper Project.
ASX Share Price Snapshot
- Last Price: $0.30 [As at 11:50 am AEST, 25 June, 2026]
- Daily Change: +1.70%
- 1 Week Performance: +1.69%
- 2026 Year-to-Date Performance: +17.65%
- 1 Year Performance: +87.50%
- Performance vs Sector (1 Year): +37.84%
- Performance vs ASX 200 (1 Year): +85.02%
- Market Capitalisation: $245.41 million
The Company’s latest metallurgical results highlight the potential for a low-complexity processing operation with strong copper recoveries and concentrate quality.
The combination of an upgraded Mineral Resource base, continued exploration success and positive metallurgical outcomes provides investors with further visibility on the development pathway for Mumbezhi.
With copper demand expected to remain supported by electrification, renewable energy infrastructure and grid expansion, Prospect’s progress at Mumbezhi places the Company in a strong position within the global critical minerals sector.
The upcoming Scoping Study, targeted for completion in Q4 2026/Q1 2027, will represent another important milestone as Prospect advances towards potential future copper production.
Disclaimer
This article has been prepared by Colitco in collaboration with Prospect Resources as part of a commercial content and investor communications arrangement. Colitco may receive compensation for the production and distribution of this content. This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial product advice, investment advice, or a recommendation to buy or sell any securities. The content reflects information available at the time of publication and may not be updated. All figures, data and statements have been sourced from Prospect Resources’ official ASX announcements and publicly available sources. Readers should conduct their own independent research and seek professional financial advice before making any investment decisions. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Exploration results are not a guarantee of future resource definition or commercial production.
Elizabeth Jones is a finance and mining content specialist with over 10 years of experience creating clear, SEO-driven content across fintech, investing, banking, insurance, cryptocurrency, and resource markets. She transforms complex financial data and industry trends into engaging, reader-focused articles that improve understanding and audience engagement.
