Lindian Resources Ltd (ASX:LIN, OTC:LINIF) has unveiled promising findings from a Phase 2 deep drilling program at the Kangankunde Rare Earths Project, Malawi, which shows mineralisation extending beyond initial estimates.
A second deep drill hole, KGKDD009, intercepted 1,000 metres grading 2.6% total rare earth oxides (TREO).
Multiple standout intersections
The results from this hole reveal multiple standout intersections including 805.26 metres at 2.90% TREO and a 652.41-metre section at 3.0% TREO, which ends some 700 metres vertically below the previously reported mineral resource estimate of 261 million tonnes at 2.19% TREO.
Lindian chief executive officer Alistair Stephens said: “These assays from the second deep drill hole reinforce all of Kangankande’s key characteristics – high-grade mineralisation consistent across very thick intercepts, a favourable NdPr ratio and a non-radioactive concentrate for transportation.
“A standout from this hole is the very high-grade mineralisation at depth and the fact that the hole ended at 1,000 metres in mineralisation exceeding 3.2% TREO; this adds to Kangankunde’s potential scale and the quality of its mineralisation.
“We will incorporate these results into our planned exploration target for Kangankunde.”
Higher-grade mineralisation of 288 metres at 3.5% TREO was discovered from 711 metres to the end of hole (EOH).
The average neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) content was around 18.2% of TREO.
In addition, assay results for KGKRCDD083 displayed 325 metres at 2.49% TREO, providing vital insights into the undrilled western boundary of the carbonatite system. The data indicates that the mineralisation extends further west than initially thought.
Both holes demonstrate the Kangankunde carbonatite system's substantial potential, which remains open in all directions, including depth.
Offtake interest
Lindian executive chairman Asimwe Kabunga said: “Kangankunde’s scale continues to grow and this is attracting the interest of a number of parties seeking to secure offtake from our planned Stage 1 operation.
“While we continue to advance discussions with a number of parties our efforts are now firmly on mine development works with an update on progress due in the near future.
"While some follow-up exploration is warranted at Kangankunde, which we will do in parallel with mine development works, our immediate focus is infill drilling to support the first stage of mine development.
“We are well into this workstream and will report on results as we update shareholders on mine development.”
The findings will form the basis for defining a forthcoming exploration target, and a Phase 3 drill program has already kicked off to provide indicated resources for mine development feasibility studies.
The newly reported data affirms the untapped potential of the Kangankunde Rare Earths Project and could play a pivotal role in subsequent exploration and development phases.