Lindian Resources Ltd (ASX:LIN) continues to deliver high-grade rare earth assays from a phase one reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at the Kangankunde Rare Earths Project in Malawi.
Drilling returned rare earth assays up to 9.5% TREO, showing extensive non-radioactive rare earth mineralisation within broad intersections.
At 186 metres from surface to end of hole (EOH), KGKRC007 averaged 2.97% TREO, the highest grading hole to date, and this included:
- 24 metres at 3.00% TREO from surface;
- 65 metres at 3.64% TREO from 58 metres;
- 29 metres at 3.71% TREO from 136 metres; and
- 16 metres at 3.24% TREO from 170 metres to the end of hole.
All holes started and terminated in mineralisation with holes KGKRC005, KGKRC007 and KGKRC009 to be extended by core drilling.
What’s more, the assays demonstrate that mineralisation is non-radioactive with very low average uranium and thorium levels.
Non-radioactive mineralisation
Lindian CEO Alistair Stephens said: “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.
“The fact that hole KGKRC007, located on the westerm 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."
Mineralisation
The mineralisation is dominated by light rare earths cerium, lanthanum, neodymium (Nd) and praseodymium (Pr).
The total of Nd+Pr content in oxide form constitutes on average 19% of the TREO in all holes.
Radionuclides uranium and thorium continue to be low in all drilling.
The western high-grade rare earth intersections in the western holes KGKRC005 and KGKRC007 both show markedly lower levels of radionuclides than the eastern holes.
This also indicates likely different carbonatite phases with some compositional variation.
Forward plan
Lindian’s phase two drill program will include two additional deep drill holes planned from drill pads near the base of the Kangankunde hill.
These two holes, each planned to be 1,000 metres in length, are designed to test the N-S and E-W axies of the carbonatite between 300 metres and 800 metres below the hilltop.
Stephens adds: “All our efforts are focused on delivering the maiden mineral resource estimate 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.”