Born out of bloodshed, colonial politics, civil war and the pursuit of mining riches, the independence referendum has been a long time coming.

Teck is likely to sell or seek a partner for Zafranal.

The highlight is an intercept from the Main zone returning 291.5 metres of 0.48 g/t gold, 0.14% copper and 0.95 g/t silver.

Aurubis, Europe's biggest copper smelter, said in May it had agreed to buy Metallo for 380 million euros ($420.7 million).

The junior miner increased the size of its New York Canyon property.

Despite vast mineral resources, Congo is one of the world’s poorest countries.