Lindian Resources (ASX:LIN) has intersected non-radioactive material with ‘excellent’ grades from phase one reverse circulation (RC) drilling at its Kangankunde Rare Earths Project in Malawi.
The results, generated by 5 RC holes, represent the continuation of ‘outstanding’, and ‘high-grade’ rare earth element (REE) assays encountered within the project, and demonstrate grades up to 2.97% total rare earth oxide from hole KGKRC007, which represents the highest-grading hole to date.
The company says all holes conducted started and terminated in mineralisation, and that assays demonstrate encountered mineralisation is non-radioactive with very low average uranium and thorium levels.
Adding on, the company notes holes KGKRC005, KGKRC007, and KGKRC009 are expected to be extended by core drilling.
Key assays include hole KGKRC007 with 186m @ 2.97% TREO from surface to end of hole (EOH), including 29m @ 3.71% TREO from 136m; hole KGKRC005 with 117m @ 2.76% from surface, including 82m @ 3.12% TREO from surface; and hole KHKRC009 with 131m @ 2.14% TREO from surface, including 50m @ 2.75% TREO from 81m to EOH.
Drilling was designed to target discrete carbonatite zones on the western side of the complex observed from surface mapping, as well as examine the main central carbonatite to the east of drillhole KKRC007, and about 50 to 100m south of previously reported TREO assay intercepts.
Further assays are expected to be reported progressively in the coming weeks.
Addressing the results, Lindian Resources Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Alistair Stephens says: “These assays are without doubt extremely encouraging from the perspective of the size of the mineralised body as we have continued to intersect very broad, high grade intercepts of non-radioactive mineralisation from surface with all holes terminating in mineralisation.
“These assays are without doubt extremely encouraging from the perspective of the size of the mineralised body”
The fact that hole KGKRC007, located on the western edge of the carbonatite, was our highest grading hole to date provides a high degree of confidence that the assay grade of the central carbonatite unit is likely to be largely consistent throughout and to depth.
In addition, we are highly encouraged by what we have encountered in hole KGKRC010, as it is the first time we have drill-tested the mixed breccia zone of carbonatite and altered wall rock which borders the high-grade carbonatite, and to have intersected 138 metres grading 1.47% in material that we anticipated to be much lower grade is very significant and builds the case that the breccia surrounding and intruding into the carbonatite on the edges could host significant additional rare earths mineralisation.
All our efforts are focused on delivering the maiden Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) in Q2 and preliminary metallurgical test work results this quarter and with these latest results we remain on track to achieve these milestones. With a fully permitted mining project, we are exceptionally well-placed to advance Kangankunde’s development rapidly. We look forward to reporting on more operational progress over the coming weeks.”
The company also notes hole KGKRC010 was drilled entirely in a mixed breccia comprising carbonatite and altered wall rock intersecting 138m averaging 1.47% TREO.
In addition, examination of the drill core from the unassayed drillhole KGKRCDD003 indicates the ‘high-grade’ carbonatite hosted mineralisation is bounded to the east by a mixed breccia of carbonatite and wall rock, and is further supported by surface mapping.
Lindian Resources is an ASX-listed Australian company that boasts a world-class portfolio of rare earths and bauxite assets that are critical to EVs and a range of other industries including electronic infrastructure, solar panels, rechargeable batteries, wind turbines and medical imaging. The company’s Kangankunde project is located in Malawi about 90km north of the city of Blantyre, and is considered prospective for REE mineralisation.
Other assets included in the company’s exploration arsenal include various bauxite projects situated in Guinea and Tanzania, including the Lelouma, Gaoual, Lushoto, and Para projects.
Images: Lindian Resources Ltd
