AuKing Mining (ASX:AKN) has mobilised diamond drilling equipment to its Tundulu Rare Earths Project in Malawi, following completion of a 4,300m reverse circulation (RC) program.
The company completed 31 RC holes across the project in southern Malawi, with carbonatite intersections confirmed in 28 holes. Cumulative logged carbonatite exceeded 2,100m across the program, with seven holes containing more than 100m of logged carbonatite.
Managing Director Paul Williams says the early drilling has established a striking feature in the form of carbonatite intersections across almost all holes.
“We have already established a striking feature from the early drilling at Tundulu in the form of the interpreted carbonatite intersections across almost all of the drill holes to date,” Williams notes.
“And not just those holes in and around Nathace Hill (the subject of significant historical drilling), but also areas to the west and north-east of that main area.”
The RC program targeted areas beyond historically drilled Nathace Hill. In addition, step-out holes tested targets generated from recent airborne magnetic surveys. Carbonatite lithologies were intersected in each step-out hole.
The diamond drilling program aims to average 80m per day across two shifts, potentially completing 10,000m before year-end.
The program comprises surface drillholes and diamond tails extending selected RC holes to approximately 150m depth. Two planned holes will extend to approximately 500m to test depth continuity beneath Nathace Hill, Tundulu East, and Kamilala Hill.
The company will use the diamond core samples for metallurgical and mineralogical testwork. Results will form the basis for an initial mineral resource estimate by end of 2026 or early 2027.
AKN has obtained five export permits for 2,992 RC drill samples, with assays from the first four holes anticipated in the near term. A further 1,516 samples are progressing through export approval.
AuKing Mining is an Australian exploration company advancing a diversified critical minerals portfolio that includes the Koongie Park Copper-Zinc Project in Western Australia and uranium assets in Tanzania.
Write to JC Villarba at Mining.com.au
Images: AuKing Mining
