Montreal, July 29, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - Morocco Strategic Minerals Corporation (TSXV: MCC) is excited to announce the analytical results from the initial phase sampling programs conducted at the Ouneine and Aït Zekri projects, along with an operational update concerning its portfolio in the Western High Atlas region of Morocco.
Key Highlights from Ouneine and Aït Zekri
At Ouneine, a total of 49 discrete samples (excluding blanks and standards) returned remarkable grades of up to **14.88% copper and 696 g/t silver** (sample ON-GB 0025). Of these, thirty-seven samples exhibited grades of at least **1.0% copper**, with eight samples exceeding **5.29% copper**. Meanwhile, at Aït Zekri, 23 samples (17 from surface and 5 from an underground gallery) revealed gold grades of up to **4.16 g/t** (sample AZ-GB005). Gold mineralization has been confirmed both at the surface and within the historical gallery, with a noteworthy **2.11 g/t gold** found in the underground sample AZ-GB020.
MCC has established a dedicated on-site exploration team consisting of two geologists and three technicians, supported by a qualified independent person based in Canada. This team is actively engaged in detailed geological mapping, structural interpretation, and systematic surface and underground sampling. Restoration and safety works have also commenced in certain historical galleries, focusing on drainage, removal of unstable rocks, stability assessments, enhancement of ventilation, and establishment of secondary escape routes in preparation for future drilling of identified targets.
Additionally, the Company has conducted a high-resolution topographical survey using drone technology over the Ouneine property, alongside a 3D laser scanning of accessible underground galleries, providing a precise digital representation of the historical mining infrastructure. This initiative supports geological and structural mapping as well as drill targeting.
Sampling Results: Copper and Silver at Ouneine
Field mapping and prospecting at Ouneine have identified multiple copper-bearing zones controlled by structural features, primarily hosted within carbonate rocks. The mineralization is associated with quartz veins, fault corridors, hydrothermal breccias, and network veins, consisting mainly of malachite, azurite, and chalcocite in oxidized zones, with pyrite, chalcopyrite, bornite, and locally galena and barite observed at the surface. The copper mineralization is spatially related to east-west and east-northeast oriented structures and their intersections with secondary fractures, with a local extension into the surrounding limestone host rocks along fractures, stratification planes, and vein networks, consistent with a polymetallic hydrothermal system.
A total of 49 surface rock samples were collected from the main mineralized structures within the license. The reported analysis results confirm the presence of high-grade copper mineralization reaching **14.88% copper** (sample ON-GB0043), with 37 samples showing copper grades exceeding **1%**, including eight samples surpassing **5.29% copper**. Silver grades peaked at 696 g/t, demonstrating a strong association with copper mineralization.
Some notable results include:
- ON-GB0025: 696 g/t Ag, 14.88% Cu
- ON-GB0041: 248 g/t Ag and 2.65% Cu
- ON-GB0050: 163 g/t Ag and 3.66% Cu
- ON-GB0043: 158 g/t Ag and 13.76% Cu
- ON-GB0017: 138 g/t Ag and 8.83% Cu
At Aït Zekri, MCC conducted preliminary lithological and structural mapping and executed a program of 23 discrete samples, including 17 surface rock samples and five from the historical gallery. Gold values ranged from less than 0.05 g/t to **4.16 g/t Au**. Nineteen samples returned at least **0.10 g/t Au**, with six samples exceeding **0.52 g/t Au**, two of which were above **2.10 g/t Au**. The mapping identified several quartz veins oriented N20, typically exhibiting sub-vertical dips, variable widths generally between approximately 0.5 and 2.0 meters, and lateral continuity extending several tens of meters.
This data justifies the continued assessment of the former gold and silver system. Historical records indicate about 300 meters of underground workings and 18 drill holes totaling 2,018.6 meters, including previously disclosed results of **6.70 g/t Au** over 1.0 meter and underground samples reportedly returning up to **3.31 g/t Au** and 240 g/t Ag. These historical data have not been independently verified by the qualified person and should not be considered as current mineral resources or reserves.
As reported by globenewswire.com.
