Exploration

HANDS-ON INTELLIGENCE

First Quantum Minerals is actively exploring for copper on five continents. We have established exploration teams operating in Africa, North and South America, Asia and Australia. We have a proactive, resourceful approach, and are committed to working safely, transparently, and responsibly in all regions.

First Quantum’s exploration team are the intelligence operatives of the company, seeking out new projects and opportunities in prospective belts across the globe. Our activities vary by district; in Zambia we are concentrating on near mine brownfield exploration aimed at growing the resources for our existing mining operations, as well as new targets in the Central African Copper belt. In South America, we are targeting copper porphyries in the Andes, especially around our new development projects in Argentina and Peru. We also have small teams seeking out greenfield opportunities in Turkey and Kazakhstan.

Exploration hubs

Australasia and Pacific

North America

South America

Zambia

Turkey and the Caucasus

Central Asia

Exploration hubs

Integrity, responsibility and technical excellence

Our lean, dynamic group of geoscientists and support staff rotate between projects and districts around the world, operating with integrity at all times. We work collaboratively, creating a strong sense of community that helps us to overcome obstacles and turn our ideas into actions. We seek opportunity in everything we do – taking personal responsibility to deliver on our commitments to stakeholders, colleagues and peers alike.

Our team seeks to have a strong impact, both today and into the future, as we aim to create a positive legacy in the communities in which we operate. Our outreach programs are tailored to the needs of the local environment and communities with a long term view in mind. We strive to involve stakeholders in our decision-making process and, where possible, reduce the impacts of our work programs through direct consultation and active engagement.

We are strong believers in technical excellence and doing more with less. We are proud of providing opportunities for our teams internationally to grow and develop.

Pioneering spirit and pragmatism

First Quantum has a remarkable history of growth founded upon a pioneering spirit, hard work, and pragmatism. The journey to becoming one of the leading global copper producers has its roots in Zambia, following the acquisition of Bwana Mkuba in 1996. Exploration played a pivotal role in the discovery and definition of millions of tonnes of copper metal in Zambia and the DRC that propelled the company’s rapid growth into the major copper producer it is today. In Zambia alone, the company has delineated six deposits and over 15Mt of copper and 400kt of Nickel, with three mining operations successfully developed to date.

Globally, First Quantum’s exploration team has contributed to successful resource expansion programs in Finland, Turkey and Mauritania, as well as discovery of multiple new deposits in South America – most recently the Vendaval CuAu porphyry in Argentina. We have had notable successes with partner companies identifying high quality targets in a number of jurisdictions and continue to form new project ventures with prospective parties.

Our teams

The exploration group is organised into three teams that manage exploration efforts globally.

Headquartered in Zambia and exploring throughout Africa with a primary focus on sediment-hosted copper deposits of the Central African Copperbelt.

Operating from exploration hubs in Santiago, Lima and Salta. Exploring throughout Latin America with a primary focus on porphyry copper deposits.

Headquartered in Perth, Australia with a broad remit to look for copper opportunities globally, with principal focus in Australasia, Eurasia and North America. Our New Opportunities Group also encompasses a team of roaming technical specialists that support our exploration teams across the globe.