Shuka Minerals reports significant drilling success in Kabwe
Shuka Minerals Plc says it has successfully completed the fifth drill hole KBDD05 at the No. 2 ore body at the Kabwe Zinc Mine.
The fifth diamond drill hole was planned as a deep hole, at -80° at a bearing of 145o and was designed to intersect the ore body at approximately 320-350 metres (“m”) depth and to test the western limb of the originally projected orebody. Historical plans show remaining medium to high grade blocks to a depth of 1650 feet (550 m) depth, with mine development at these depths. This part of the orebody was accessed by a long crosscut from the No. 5 & 6 Orebody on the 1050 foot (320 m) level. The hole encountered a mining cavity between 324.90 m and 327.75 m downhole that is possibly associated with workings off this tunnel. A combination of karst (solution cavities) and the mining void contributed to a 4° – 6° westward deviation to the hole. The skill of the drillers enabled drilling to continue to a final depth of 419 m.
The Company has commenced a sixth hole to intersect a different, previously unexploited orebody in the “Speaks” approximately 1 kilometre (“km”) from the Pit 2 area where we have been focussing our studies to date. The anticipated depth of drill hole 6 will be at 250 m – 300 m.
The actual readings from a down hole gyroscope survey revealed the hole was 419 m deep, with a final azimuth of 149.38° and a dip of 74.88°. This particular survey enables us to plot the western side of the orebody and the location of further underground workings in a 3D model, and assists future deeper hole planning.
As previously announced the Behre Dolbear 2023 NI 43-101 report indicates that the No. 2 ore body has 3.1 million tonnes (“MT”) of ore remaining at grades of 11.4% zinc (“Zn”) and 1.7% lead plus silver and vanadium oxide.
Results
KBDD05 returned 38.90% Zn over 3.50 m from 338.00.10 to 341.50 m (down hole), based on an arithmetic average of 10 individual portable XRF pinpoint readings through the defined zone at a typical regular data spacing of 3 readings per meter of whole core Pinpoint readings over the entire interval ranged from 6.70% – 68.6% zinc. This interval includes one peak reading of 17.5% Lead (“Pb”) in otherwise anomalous values (0.3% – 1.8% Pb) perhaps indicating an increase in Pb mineralisation with depth.
A lower ironstone band averaged 2.63% Zn over 2.40 m from 373.60 m to 376.0 m.
We can clearly see the mineralisation continues at depth and at the same time are successfully testing the western limits of the known ore body. This deep hole will enable us to accurately plan further deep holes to the east of, and below, the intersections recorded above.
These assays were taken with a calibrated XRF machine and will be verified in due course with JORC/NI 43 101 laboratory analysis and testing. This intersection aligns with the Company’s objectives for its 2026 exploration programme aiming to increase the existing resource by 50%, subject to the results of the drilling programme.
The GeoQuest geological team are on site with the Company’s CEO, Richard Lloyd, who is overseeing the initial (2,000 m) phase of drilling. Drilling is being undertaken by Ox Drilling Limited, a contractor with 21 years established operating experience in Zambia.
The Company will update on further progress as drilling advances.
Shuka Minerals CEO, Richard Lloyd, commented:
“The deeper planed holes of any drilling campaign always contain some trepidation as you wait for expected ore zones to be hit. The skill of OX drilling, especially in light of intersecting historic mine workings and cavities, helped deliver further high grade Zn and Pb mineralisation. This deep hole gives us much more information about the orebody and its behaviour at depth and we are now confident we can drill to 700m + to confirm the deepest reaches of the previously developed ore body.
We have already moved the rig about 1km to the NE and have commenced the first of our stepout drill holes, aiming to explore the un-mined areas of “Speaks” and “Mine Club”. Having had a 100% hit rate at our No. 2 ore body, with results far exceeding historical averages, we turn our focus to other highly prospective areas of Kabwe. I look forward to updating shareholders as the results are received from the balance of Phase 1 drilling.
