ACU African Copper

RNS Number:1866L
African Copper PLC
30 October 2006



30 October, 2006

www.africancopper.com

AIM: ACU

                               AFRICAN COPPER Plc

       Thakadu Project Exploration returns High Grade Copper-Silver Drill
                 Intersections; Pre-feasibility Study Underway


  * Drilling at the Thakadu Project has shown the presence of a strataform,
    stratabound disseminated copper deposit within Proterozoic-folded
    metasediments of the Matsitama Belt.  This mineralization is similar to that
    found and mined within the Zambian Copper Belt.

  * 4.18% copper and 45 g/t silver over 25.85 metres
  * 2.10% copper and 11 g/t silver over 24.91 metres
  * 1.78% copper and 20 g/t silver over 8.15 metres
  * 2.15% copper and 48 g/t silver over 12.18 metres

  * The seven holes reported here are twin holes drilled to check historic
    information  and describe over 2000 metres of strike extent
  * Significant amounts of silver exist with copper. Silver assays were not
    generally included in historic assay programmes.
  * Historic exploration has been concentrated in two areas at opposite ends
    of a 2000 metre strike extent.  Exploration between the areas has been
    sporadic in the past.
  * Surface geochemistry indicates that the mineralization can be traced for a
    further 2000 metres to the west beyond any historic drilling.
  * A pre-feasibility study has commenced including metallurgical studies, a
    10,000 metre diamond drill programme, structural studies and underground
    mapping.



African Copper Plc ("African Copper" or the "Company") announces initial
drilling results from the first of the high priority targets in the Matsitama
Schist belt. The Thakadu Project contains sediment-hosted stratabound
disseminated sulphide zones in a metamorphosed sedimentary sequence with minor
volcanic and volcaniclastic units.

The drill results presented here include 4.18% copper and 45 g/t silver over
25.85 metres and 2.10% copper and 11 g/t silver over 24.91 metres at Thakadu.
Approximately 900 metres to the west, a single drillhole returned 1.78% copper
and 20 g/t silver over 8.15 metres.  Further to the west, another drill hole
returned 2.15% copper and 48 g/t silver over 12.18 metres. These drill holes
cover approximately 2000 metres of strike extent.  These results are from a
twin-hole drill programme designed to verify historic results from exploration
programmes conducted by other companies over the past 40 years.  Specific
drillholes were selected for twinning such that a wide variation in grades,
thicknesses of mineralized horizons, depth of intersections and strike extent
could be tested.  Drilling is on-going and further results will be released when
they become available.

The primary sulphide minerals are chalcopyrite (85-90%) and bornite (10-15%)
with minor pyrite adjacent to the copper bearing material. The upper 50 metres
of the deposits are characterized by secondary zones of oxidation where the
primary sulphides are replaced by chalcocite, malachite and cuprite-tenorite
together with traces of native copper and marcasite. Previous operators
completed extensive metallurgical tests that showed a copper recovery of 90 to
96% can be achieved by flotation of the sulphides producing a sulphide
concentrate containing 28 to 32% copper and approximately 250 g/t silver.

Joe Hamilton, Chief Operating Officer of African Copper, commented "The deposits
at the Thakadu Project show striking similarities to the sedimentary hosted
copper deposits of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  The
structural setting, age of mineralization and associated rock types and
mineralogy are almost identical to those found in some of the larger copper
deposits.  The grade is certainly equivalent.  The Thakadu and Makala deposits
lie within Botswana which has a low geopolitical risk, good infrastructure and a
skilled workforce.  The proximity to road, rail, power and water will be an
asset in the development of these deposits to be fast-tracked."

The Thakadu Project area is approximately 70 kilometres to the southeast of the
Company's flagship Dukwe Project within the prolific Matsitama Metasedimentary
Belt.  The Dukwe project is under construction with production expected early in
2008.

Thakadu lies at the eastern end of a 40 kilometre long mineralized belt which
contains numerous showings of sedimentary hosted copper-silver, copper-lead-zinc
and zinc-silver. Historic drilling has concentrated on two deposits that are
approximately 2000 metres apart but only sporadic exploration has been conducted
between the two deposits.  Surface geochemistry and geophysics, as well as
geologic mapping and trenching, indicates that the folded stratigraphy is
probably continuous between the two deposits, and that mineralization may extend
for up to 2000 metres to the west of known drilling.  These deposits are five to
ten kilometres from the Francistown-Orapa paved highway.

The historical dataset assembled over the past 40 years on these deposits
includes approximately 39,000 metres (156 holes) of surface percussion and
diamond drilling, prospect shafts to a depth of approximately 70 metres on each
deposit with a combined 620 metres of lateral development, 882 metres of
underground diamond drilling, 3 tonne samples of oxide and sulphide material for
bench scale metallurgical test work, 180 tonnes of sulphide mineralization taken
for pilot plant test work and a variety of hydrogeological, geotechnical, and
mineralogical investigations. The deepest drill holes historically attained a
vertical depth of about 550 metres and were still well mineralized indicating
that the down dip potential is significant.  This work culminated in the late
1990s with a fully permitted Mining Licence granted over the concession.  No
construction ever commenced and the Mining Licence defaulted back to the
Botswana government in late 2003.  The area became open for acquisition in March
of 2004 and a Prospecting Licence was granted to African Copper in January 2005.

Four feasibility studies were completed on the Thakadu Project deposits by
previous operators between 1980 and 1993.  These studies noted a number of
constraints to development at that time including available water and electrical
power supplies and a lack of skilled workers in the region.  As a consequence of
this, small mining projects were considered in the studies.  The economic
evaluations indicated that reasonable profitability could be achieved, albeit at
modest levels of cash flow.  The infrastructure situation has changed in the
region with marked improvements in the available water and power supplies.  The
Thakadu Project deposits need to be re-evaluated in the light of these changes.
Additional information with respect to the Thakadu deposits is contained in a
technical report prepared by A.C.A Howe International Limited dated March 30,
2006 and entitled "Technical Report on the Dukwe Copper Project and Matsitama
Prospecting Licences, Botswana, Africa". A copy of this technical report can be
obtained from the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.

A table showing the composite assay intervals for the diamond drill holes is
attached to this press release.  A plan map showing the location of these holes
and historical holes is available on the African Copper website at
www.africancopper.com.  Cross sections of the drill holes reported herein are
also available on the website.

African Copper is a tri-listed (AIM, TSX, Botswana Stock Exchange) international
exploration and development company. African Copper is planning to develop its
first copper mine at the Dukwe Project and commence production in 2008.  The
Company's other interests are the 4,000 sq km Matsitama exploration concession
adjacent to Dukwe, which contains the Thakadu Project deposits in addition to a
further 9 high priority drill-ready targets and 35 lower priority targets.
African Copper has approximately 130 million shares outstanding.

Mr. Joseph Hamilton, P.Geo, and Chief Operating Officer of African Copper, is a
"qualified person" as defined in Canada by National Instrument 43-101.  This
press release has been prepared under Mr. Hamilton's supervision. Mr. Hamilton
has verified the data disclosed in this press release, including the sampling,
analytical and test data underlying the information.

This document contains or refers to forward-looking information, including
exploration results, potential mineralization and resources, exploration and
development plans and timing of commencement of operations and is based on
current expectations that involve a number of business risks and uncertainties.
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from any
forward-looking statement include, but are not limited to, failure to establish
estimated resources and reserves, the grade and recovery of ore which is mined
varying from estimates, capital and operating costs varying significantly from
estimates, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental,
environmental or other project approvals, political risks arising from operating
in Africa, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing
needed in the future, uncertainties due to inflation, changes in exchange rates,
fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of projects and
other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry.
Forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties,
and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
expected results. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and
the Company assumes no responsibility to update them or revise them to reflect
new events or circumstances other than required by law.


                                     - Ends -


For further information contact:

African Copper Plc                Numis Securities Limited (NOMAD)     Parkgreen Communications
David Jones / Joseph Hamilton     John Harrison / James Black          Justine Howarth / Ana Ribeiro
+44 (0) 20 7321 3721              +44 (0) 20 7776 1590                 +44 (0) 20 7493 3713



Further information about our properties, to download a copy of our Annual
Report, or any technical report or to access our Press Release Archive please
visit.www.sedar.com or our website at  www.africancopper.com.



                        Table 1:  Thakadu Project Drilling Intersections

   Drillhole         From             To            Length            Cu              Ag
                      (m)             (m)             (m)              %             (g/t)
TH15AD1                  131.96          156.87           24.91            2.10              11
      Including          132.65          134.26            1.61            2.35              17
            and          137.25          155.92           18.67            2.45              13

TH32B                    210.58          216.46            5.88            1.62              27

TN10.95A                  19.33           27.53            8.20            1.06               5
                          31.20           57.05           25.85            4.18              45

MA16A                    276.12          278.52            2.40            3.96              83

MA19A                    170.89          172.03            1.14            2.11              31
                         174.06          175.43            1.37            1.43              16

MA20A                    173.99          186.17           12.18            2.15              48
      Including          173.99          181.84            7.85            2.76              65

PE6A                      82.42           90.57            8.15            1.78              20
      Including           82.42           88.29            5.87            2.17              25



Note: These intersections are not true widths since all holes are drilled to the
northeast into the mineralized zone that dips to the southwest.  Samples of half
core were cut and placed into sealed bags at the Thakadu exploration camp under
the direct supervision of RSG Global Consulting ("RSG"). These were transported
weekly by commercial carrier to Johannesburg.  All sample preparation and
analyses were completed at ALS Chemex laboratories in Johannesburg (ISO 17025
accredited and independent of African Copper and RSG). Copper assays are
completed using standard preparation of crushing to 70% < 2 mm followed by
splitting and pulverizing to 85% < 75 micron.  Analyses are generally completed
utilizing 27 element four-acid ICP-AES in addition to a four-acid ore-grade
element digestion followed by ICP-AES. Any overlimit analyses are reanalyzed
using an ore-grade four-acid digestion with AA or ICP-AES finish. QA/QC
procedures included the submission by RSG of systematic duplicates, blanks and
both low-grade and high-grade standard samples within the sample batches
submitted to ALS Chemex. Control samples comprise 20% of all samples submitted.
No referee analysis has yet occurred. The results of the RSG QA/QC programme
for copper analyses have been reviewed by RSG. Mr. Joseph Hamilton, P.Geo. and
the Chief Operating Officer of the Company has reviewed the results presented
above for accuracy.




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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