Zonia and Escalones copper projects are World Copper’s cornerstone initiatives, positioned in resource-rich regions with significant growth potential.
The Zonia Project offers an attractive opportunity for early-stage copper production through reprocessing historically mined material.
World Copper maintains a dynamic approach, consistently updating investors with progress, from financing to resource discoveries.
World Copper (TSXV: WCU, OTC: WCUFF, FRA: 7LY0) may be a junior exploration company, but it is exceptionally dynamic. Why? Unlike many junior companies that often go silent, leaving investors waiting for months to see any progress, World Copper keeps the momentum going. The company consistently shares updates, from financing announcements and webinars to progress reports and copper grade discoveries. So, fasten your seatbelt and join us for an exciting overview of this promising company.
Why Should You Look After Copper?
While gold remains one of the safest commodities in the world, another metal is emerging as a top asset: copper. Copper is essential for the modern world, playing a crucial role in various industries due to its excellent electrical conductivity and thermal properties.
Copper is a critical component in the production of electrical wiring, electronics, and renewable energy systems, including solar panels and wind turbines. As the world transitions to greener energy sources, the demand for copper is expected to soar. The push for electric vehicles (EVs) is another major driver, as each EV requires approximately 183 pounds of copper, significantly more than a traditional internal combustion engine vehicle, which uses only about 49 pounds. Additionally, the expansion of 5G networks and increasing urbanization are set to further boost copper demand.
Copper has experienced a notable price increase over the past year, gaining approximately 9% since the beginning of 2024. As of August 2024, copper is trading at around $8,700 per metric ton, up from about $7,900 per metric ton at the start of the year. This rise is attributed to growing demand from sectors like electric vehicles, renewable energy infrastructure, and general electronics, all of which heavily rely on copper due to its superior electrical conductivity and thermal properties.
Looking ahead, the outlook for copper remains optimistic. Analysts predict that copper prices could continue to climb, potentially reaching $11,000 per metric ton by the end of 2024. This anticipated growth is driven by an expected increase in global demand, particularly from green energy initiatives and infrastructure projects. Additionally, potential supply constraints from major copper-producing regions like Chile and Peru could further tighten the market, supporting higher prices.
World Copper and its Projects
World Copper (TSXV: WCU, OTC: WCUFF, FRA: 7LY0) is an exploration and development company focused on large-scale copper porphyry deposits. The company’s flagship projects include the Zonia Project in Arizona and the Escalones Project in Chile. With a seasoned team of experts and strategic locations in copper-rich regions, World Copper is dedicated to advancing these projects while actively pursuing new opportunities in the U.S. This approach aligns with government initiatives that recognize copper as a critical resource, further enhancing the company’s growth potential.
Zonia Copper Project
Located in Arizona, the Zonia Copper Project is a cornerstone initiative for World Copper Ltd. This site has a rich history of copper production and has recently gained renewed interest due to new discoveries and substantial remaining resources. Previously operated as an open-pit copper mine, Zonia has 14 million tons of historically mined material available for re-processing. The project includes 7.1 million tons of heap leach pads with copper grades ranging from 0.4% to 0.6% CuT, and an in-situ leach area with 7.7 million tons at 0.269%-0.292% CuT. In total, the unrecovered copper at Zonia is estimated between 65 million to 96 million pounds.
World Copper is taking bold steps to unlock the potential of the Zonia Copper Project in Arizona with a focused grade-confirmation program. This initiative is designed to validate the acid-soluble copper grade of the historically mined material through comprehensive surface studies, drilling, and metallurgical testing. The program will include up to 1,100 meters (3,600 feet) of reverse circulation (RC) drilling, followed by metallurgical analysis and, if necessary, additional in-fill drilling.
Re-processing historical material at Zonia presents an attractive economic opportunity. The readily available material can be processed at a lower cost compared to the bedrock resource, providing a unique advantage. Once the grade-confirmation program is completed and the necessary permits are secured, World Copper plans to design the most efficient solution for reprocessing this material. The options on the table include the deployment of a small, portable SX-EW (solvent extraction-electrowinning) plant or the production of crystallized copper sulfate—a marketable product that requires less upfront investment.
This approach could enable early-stage production at Zonia, potentially generating revenue before the commencement of full-scale operations as outlined in the 2018 historical preliminary economic assessment (PEA).
Escalones Copper Project
The Escalones Copper Project, situated 35 km east of El Teniente in Chile, is another flagship venture for World Copper. This project stands out for its significant copper-gold porphyry system and its proximity to major copper mines. The measured and indicated resources at Escalones are estimated at 426 million tonnes at 0.367% CuT, equating to 3.45 billion pounds of copper, with an additional 178 million tonnes inferred at 0.356% CuT, or 1.4 billion pounds of copper. The project also features a high-grade core of 104 million tonnes at 0.79% CuT. World Copper’s development plan for Escalones focuses on further exploration, resource expansion, and defining high-grade zones, positioning the project for significant long-term copper production.
World Copper Secures Strategic Loan Extension with Equity Incentives
The TSX Venture Exchange has approved the extension and amendment of loans that were assumed by World Copper as part of its merger with Cardero Resource Corp. in January 2022. These loans, totaling CAD $1,958,019.88, have been extended through an agreement with E.L. II Properties Trust, the lender.
To facilitate this extension, World Copper has agreed to issue 7,251,925 non-transferable bonus common share purchase warrants to the lender. Each warrant allows the holder to purchase one common share of the company at an exercise price of CAD $0.135 per share, with a validity of two years. These warrants, and the shares acquired through them, will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day in Canada from the date of issuance.
Conclusion
World Copper (TSXV: WCU, OTC: WCUFF, FRA: 7LY0) stands out in the junior exploration sector by maintaining a steady flow of updates and progress reports, keeping investors engaged and informed. The company’s strategic focus on the Zonia and Escalones projects underscores its commitment to unlocking significant copper resources in North and South America. By capitalizing on early production opportunities and advancing its exploration efforts, World Copper is well-positioned to benefit from the increasing global demand for copper, driven by green energy initiatives and technological advancements.
