Drilling is to start this week on the Ennex International zinc deposit project in Kazakstan, Mr Christian Schaffalitzky, managing director, told shareholders at yesterday's annual general meeting.

Ennex signed the formal option agreement to acquire a 95 per cent shareholding in the Shaimarden deposit last week and an early indication of the commercial nature of the deposit should be available in September. Drilling on its zinc project in Khuzdar in

Pakistan is scheduled to commence in September with results due two to three months later.

Ennex said it is also reorganising its subsidiary, Ulster

Minerals, with a view to "unlocking the value of its significant gold deposit in Curraghinalt, Northern Ireland". Mr Brian Cusack has replaced Mr Michael McCarthy as chairman.