Lindian Resources (ASX:LIN) reports it is progressing well with its phase one drilling program at the Kangankunde Rare Earths Project, located in Malawi.
The company says visual observations of monazite mineralisation is consistent with expectations from surface mapping, and its geologists report that all drill samples contain ‘extensive’ visible monazite ‘typically’ from surface to the end of each hole.
Lindian has currently completed 669m and is drilling the second and third reverse circulation (RC) holes and the first diamond core hole. Currently RC001 is at a depth of 112m and will be drilled to 300m, while RC002 is currently at 251m with a core tail to be completed to 300m, and RC003 is at a depth of 184m with a core tail to be completed to 300m.
Meanwhile RC004 has been drilled to 34m of the targeted 300m, and DD001 is currently 88m into its planned 300m of drilling, and the company reports ‘extensive’ pale green monazite is visible in DD001 from surface to the current depth.
“With 3 rigs now on site, we have the necessary equipment to now add significant metres”
Lindian Resources CEO Alistair Stephens said observations of extensive green monazite from surface to depth in all drill samples is consistent with the company’s expectations, and it looks forward to receiving the first assay results.
“We are very pleased with how the program is progressing. The project teams are pushing hard to complete as much of the program while weather conditions permit.
With 3 rigs now on site, we have the necessary equipment to now add significant metres and thus better demonstrate Kangankunde’s compelling potential.
With drilling ongoing, we expect to report a steady stream of assay results from mid-December through to the end of February barring any unforeseen delays.
I reiterate that the Kangankunde Rare Earths Project is globally significant and the drilling program now underway can be expected to confirm and build on previous historical work.”
The phase one drilling program at Kangankunde consists of 44 holes for 10,000m of RC drilling, and 2,500m or diamond core drilling on the Kangankunde hill top, with the drill pattern based on 50m east-west sections, and as radial fans perpendicular to the interpreted carbonatite boundary.
The company states the objective of this program is to provide initial definition of the mineralised carbonatite and surrounding carbonatite breccia rocks within an area of 800m long and 800m wide. Monazite mineralisation hosting REEs is visible in the rocks that outcrop in this area.
Phase one drilling will be limited to the Kangankunde hill top using 2 RC rigs and 1 diamond core rig to complete as many holes as possible until the wet season, which ‘typically’ occurs from December to March and limits access to the site.
For phase two, Lindian reports 2 additional deep drillholes are planned from drill pads near the base of the Kangankunde hill and are designed to allow drilling to continue during the early stages of the wet season.
Both drillholes are planned to be 1,000m in length, and are designed to test the north-south and east-west axis of the carbonatite between 300m and 800m below the hill top.
Lindian also reports samples from RC001 have arrived in South Africa where they are being prepared ahead of despatch to Australia for assaying, stating sample despatches from site should occur on a weekly basis and the next set of samples are expected to be sent from site this week.
The company further explains samples from all works will undergo sample preparation at an internationally accredited laboratory in Africa with subsamples then shipped to Australia for assay, and testwork will be undertaken on-site to determine the bulk density of the mineralisation and surrounding rock types which will be applicable to future resource modelling and mine planning.
Lindian Resources is an Australian rare earth and bauxite exploration company focused on providing metals for use in electric vehicles (EVs) as well as electronic infrastructure, solar panels, rechargeable batteries, wind turbines, medical imaging and manufacturing.
Its assets include the Kangankunde Rare Earths Project located 90km north of the city of Blantyre in Malawi, as well as the Lelouma, Gaoual and Woula Bauxite Projects in Guinea; and the Lushoto and Pare Bauxite Projects in Tanzania.
Images: Lindian Resources Ltd
