URU Metals (LSE:URU), the AIM-listed nickel explorer focused on its Zeb Project in Limpopo, South Africa, has advanced contractor selection for its next drilling programme to the final commercial stage.
The company requested final proposals from qualified diamond drilling contractors, weighing commercial terms, rig availability, mobilisation timing, technical capability and safety performance.
The drilling programme was designed directly from a recently completed 3D Leapfrog geological model.
Initial holes will target the higher-grade Zone 2 mineralisation in the southeastern part of the project, aimed at building enough drilling density to support a maiden mineral resource estimate.
Drilling will then test Zone 2's continuity into less-defined areas.
Ground FDEM Target 1, a discrete electromagnetic conductor coinciding with a gravity anomaly in the interpreted intrusive plumbing system, will be tested early as a priority target for semi-massive to massive nickel-copper-platinum group element sulphides.
"We have now converted the drill plan into a contractor-ready programme, and are in the final commercial stage of selecting the drilling team, with particular focus on capability, rig availability and mobilisation," said Richard Montjoie, URU Metals' exploration manager.
The company expects its next operational update to confirm the contractor appointment and anticipated drilling start date.
News Intelligence what this means for the company
URU Metals has advanced to final commercial evaluation of diamond drilling contractors for its Zeb Nickel Project, with the company now requesting formal proposals on pricing, rig availability, mobilisation timing, technical capability and safety. The drilling programme—designed from a recently completed 3D Leapfrog geological model—will initially target higher-grade Zone 2 mineralisation to build density for a maiden mineral resource estimate, then test Zone 2 continuity and prioritise Ground FDEM Target 1 for semi-massive to massive nickel-copper-platinum group element sulphides. This represents a concrete step toward field work, though the company has not yet named a contractor or confirmed a drilling start date.
Contractor selection moving to final stage reduces execution risk on the near-term drilling programme and signals management confidence in the project's readiness. However, until a contractor is appointed and a drilling start date confirmed, the timing and cost of the campaign remain uncertain—material variables for an early-stage explorer's cash burn and value realisation.
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