Lindian Resources Ltd (ASX:LIN) has made strong progress with its phase one drill program at the Kangankunde Rare Earths Project in Malawi
The company’s geologists have identified that all drill samples contain extensive visible monazite and are typically continuous from the surface to the end of each hole. Monazite is the rare earths-bearing mineral at Kangankunde.
To date, Lindian has completed 669 metres of drilling across four reverse circulation (RC) holes and one core hole which is currently at 88 metres.
Samples from the first drill hole have arrived in South Africa for preparation ahead of despatch to Western Australia for assays, with the next batch of samples to leave the project site this week.
“Extensive green monazite”
Lindian CEO Alistair Stephens said: “Observations of extensive green monazite from surface to depth in all drill samples are consistent with our expectations and we look forward to receipt of the first assay results in due course.
“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 three 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 pen points to monazite mineral in drill core.
Phase one drill program
Lindian's phase one program consists of 44 drill holes across 10,000 metres of RC drilling and 2,500 metres of core drilling on the Kangankunde hilltop.
The objective is to provide an initial definition of the mineralised carbonatite and surrounding carbonatite breccia rocks within an area of 800 metres long and 800 metres wide.
Monazite mineralisation hosting rare earth elements is clearly visible in the rocks that outcrop in this area.
Phase 1 drilling will be limited to the Kangankunde hilltop using two RC rigs and one core rig to complete as many holes as possible until the wet season, typically from December to March, limits access.
Phase two drill program
Two additional deep drill holes 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.
These two drill holes, each planned to be 1,000 metres in length, are designed to test the NS and E-W axis of the carbonatite between 300 metres and 800 metres below the hilltop.