Erdene Resource Announces Major Mineralization Expansion at Mongolian Project
Erdene Resource Development Corporation has revealed substantial progress at its Zuun Mod molybdenum-copper project in southwestern Mongolia, with recent drilling confirming expanded mineralization that promises to enhance the project's economic viability.
Significant Drilling Results Demonstrate Resource Growth
The company completed a comprehensive 3,362-metre, 24-hole drill program in late 2025 on its wholly owned Khuvyn Khar license, which hosts the Zuun Mod deposit. This extensive program included 18 holes specifically testing the upper 150 metres of the deposit, along with one hole extension designated ZMD-98 that reached an impressive depth of 450 metres.
Remarkably, hole ZMD-98 intersected near-continuous molybdenum and copper mineralization over 374 metres, averaging 0.066% molybdenum equivalent. This deep drilling demonstrated continuity in the northern portions of the deposit, while shallower drilling returned multiple high-grade intersections exceeding 0.1% molybdenum equivalent over widths ranging from 6 to 18 metres.
Enhanced Near-Surface Resources and Economic Implications
Peter Akerley, Erdene's President and CEO, emphasized the significance of these findings: "Recent drilling at Zuun Mod confirmed continuity and improved the grade of molybdenum mineralization in near surface zones of the deposit. These results should expand near surface resources at Zuun Mod, and will be incorporated in a Preliminary Economic Assessment targeted to be delivered in mid-2026."
The near-surface drilling intersected high-grade molybdenum and copper mineralization within the upper 130 metres vertically, with multiple holes returning grades exceeding 0.07% molybdenum equivalent over downhole lengths of up to 112 metres. Importantly, several holes ended while still in mineralization, suggesting potential for further resource expansion.
Strategic Location and Development Context
The Zuun Mod project occupies a strategically advantageous position just 35 kilometres east of the Bayan Khundii Gold Mine in the Khundii Minerals District of southwestern Mongolia. This location places the project less than 200 kilometres from the Chinese border within a rapidly developing mining region.
Mr. Akerley highlighted the favorable development conditions: "Improved infrastructure in the Khundii Minerals District and strong molybdenum and copper demand support the development of the Zuun Mod deposit. Simultaneously we are developing drill targets through deep geophysics for our Khuvyn Khar copper discovery, which is part of the same large porphyry system."
Technical Details and Future Plans
The drilling program employed angles between -45 and -60 degrees for most holes, with the exception of the ZMD-98 extension. The results have successfully confirmed both near vertical and sub-horizontal orientation of mineralization while infilling areas previously modeled as having low or no mineralization.
These drilling results will be incorporated into an updated mineral resource estimate that will serve as the foundation for a preliminary economic assessment scheduled for completion in mid-2026. The company's findings represent a significant step forward in understanding the full potential of this important Mongolian mineral deposit.
