Lindian Resources Ltd (ASX:LIN) has struck rare earth element (REE) mineralisation in all 11 reverse circulation (RC) and three diamond drill holes at the Kangankunde Rare Earth Project in Malawi, which included some of the best results to date.
The average grade of mineralisation encountered in this round of drilling was 13.89% total rare earth oxide (TREO) with an average ratio of critical minerals neodymium and praseodymium of 20% TREO.
Three of the 14 holes averaged better than 3% TREO over 150 metres or more, the best assay results to date for Kangankunde.
Emerging as Tier 1 REE deposit
“Since the commencement of this drilling program, Kangankunde has consistently delivered assays of more than 2.5% over extensive lengths with almost all holes ending in mineralisation, the neodymium-praseodymium ratio being over 20% and the material being non-radioactive,” Lindian Resources CEO Alistair Stephens said.
“The results reinforce our firm belief that Kangankunde is rapidly emerging as one of the world’s Tier-1 rare earths deposits.
“These high-grade results are largely from the northern part of the central carbonatite, an area that is showing considerable promise and for which further assays are pending.”
Assay results of note include:
- 184 metres from 4 metres depth to end of hole (EOH) averaging 3.55% TREO;
- 160 metres from surface to EOH averaging 3.04%;
- 150 metres from surface to EOH averaging 3.02% TREO, including 29 metres at 4.70% TREO from surface;
- 317.2 metres from surface averaging 2.70% TREO, including 184.2 metres at 3.07% TREO from 132 metres; and
- 245.4 metres from surface averaging 2.78% TREO, including 53.6 metres at 3.13% TREO from 65.4 metres, 63.6 metres at 3.03% TREO from 127 metres and 40.1 metres at 3.34% TREO from 205.3 metres.
Lindian has now completed the Phase 1 drilling program of some 14,000 metres of drilling, although assays from 49 holes are still pending.
Phase 2 drilling will target depth extensions to the current mineralisation at Kangankunde as many holes ended in mineralisation without finding the deepest extent of the ore body.
“We are yet to define the depth and extremities of the mineralisation and with our Phase 2 program now well underway, we will likely get a better understanding of the extent of the orebody,” Stephens continued.
“These latest results, and assays pending from the remaining 49 holes, will form part of the mineral resource estimate due to be reported this quarter.
“As well as development drilling, metallurgical test work is ongoing, so too is work on the planned Phase 1 processing plant.
“We look forward to reporting more operational updates.”