Copper Intelligence, formerly African Discovery Group (AFDG), announced on March 3, 2026, the deployment of a drill rig at its Butembo copper project in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, in partnership with South African company Gemdrill. The campaign aims to further assess the site’s geology.

According to the company’s timeline, and subject to potential delays due to customs procedures and road conditions, drilling could begin in mid-April 2026, with preliminary core sample analyses expected in early May.

Copper Intelligence said it has deployed an XY-44 drill rig. Manufacturer specifications indicate that this type of equipment can reach depths of up to around 1,000 meters, depending on configuration, target diameter and ground conditions. This capacity could enable testing of mineralization continuity at depth, although actual performance will depend on site-specific conditions and the equipment used.

Preliminary grades

The copper grades reported at this stage are based on initial results published by the company in October 2025. The data are derived from artisanal shafts and Phase 1 work conducted along the floodplain of the Talihya River over a stretch of about 500 meters. The company reported grades of up to 18% copper at one point and 16.3% at another.

It noted, however, that these figures do not constitute a resource estimate or reserves, but reflect early-stage surface sampling results.

At this stage, the data do not confirm the existence of a continuous or economically viable deposit. The drilling campaign is intended to verify mineralization continuity at depth and to better define the project’s potential.

The company also pointed to the site’s location, approximately 33 kilometers from the DRC-Uganda border, with potential access to the East African corridor leading to the port of Mombasa in Kenya. This logistical advantage remains a company claim at this stage and depends on successful geological confirmation and subsequent project development.

Copper Intelligence is listed on OTC Markets’ OTC Pink segment, which is subject to less stringent reporting and listing requirements than major U.S. exchanges such as the NYSE or Nasdaq.

Timothée Manoke