Shuka Minerals confirms high-grade zinc intersections at Pit 2 of the Kabwe Zinc Mine
Shuka Minerals Plc has received certified laboratory results from drilling at Pit 2 of the Kabwe Zinc Mine, confirming multiple high-grade zinc intersections and validating previous preliminary readings.
The standout results include an impressive 19.95 meters grading 29.07% zinc from 221 meters in hole KBDD03, 21.34 meters at 13.37% zinc from 206.06 meters in KBDD01, and 6.4 meters at 15.33% zinc from 335.6 meters in KBDD05. Even with a stricter 10% zinc cut-off, high grades remain evident, notably 19.95 meters at 29.07% zinc in KBDD03 and 3.0 meters at 30.22% zinc in KBDD05. Maximum individual assays reached 48.5% zinc in both holes KBDD03 and KBDD05.
Shuka Minerals believes a 5% zinc cut-off is more suitable under current market and project conditions than the traditional 10% threshold, which results in reporting wider mineralized intervals. The final economic cut-off will be determined by mining methods and project economics.
According to the 2023 Behre Dolbear NI 43-101 report, the No. 2 orebody holds an estimated 1.958 million tonnes of indicated and inferred resources grading 12% zinc and 2% lead to a depth of 300 meters. This is part of a larger estimated resource of 2.956 million tonnes grading 11.5% zinc and 1.7% lead down to 600 meters.
Chief Executive Richard Lloyd commented, “The latest drilling results increase our confidence that the historical resource at Pit 2 could grow by at least 50%, a significant step forward for the project.”
Ongoing laboratory analysis for silver, vanadium, germanium, and gallium aims to uncover additional potential by-product values, potentially enhancing the project’s economics.
For investors, the key highlight is the confirmation of very high zinc grades through certified ALS assays, moving beyond preliminary pXRF data. While the anticipated 50% resource increase remains a target rather than a finalized update, the economic impact of the wider 5% cut-off intervals will depend on future resource modeling, mining strategies, and metallurgical studies.
Shuka Minerals continues to advance its exploration and analysis efforts, aiming to unlock further value at the Kabwe Zinc Mine.
