The three deposits included in the FS have a combined measured and indicated resource of 22.9 million tonnes grading 1.5% copper and 2.2% zinc.

The company spent just $53 million looking for the metal last year, when it posted record profit of $37.4 billion.

Mineral explorers in British Columbia could not get bulk sampling permits since the Mt Polley disaster of 2014.

The move comes as Democratic Republic of Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi increases scrutiny of Chinese mining activities.

Zambia's newly-appointed mines minister said on Tuesday that the government will ensure stability and predictability in the mining sector.

Industry and Information Technology Minister, Xiao Yaqing, said the government will encourage consolidation.

CEO Mark Bristow said the company will strike a deal should an appealing one present itself, which he described as a mine that can produce 500,000 ounces of gold annually "for a long time".