Shuka Minerals Plc has successfully completed the eleventh and final drill hole of its current exploration programme at Kabwe, Zambia, uncovering significant high-grade zinc mineralisation in a newly identified orebody south of the historic Speaks and Mine Club zones.
The latest hole, KBDD11, revealed two key mineralised zones. The first intersected 18.4 metres at 7.45% zinc beginning just 3.3 metres below the surface, including a peak zinc concentration of 18.9% alongside 0.61% copper. A second, richer zone extended 27.1 metres from 68.9 metres depth, averaging 19.60% zinc with a peak portable XRF reading of 69.6% zinc and vanadium at 2.7%. This interval also featured a 6.1-metre basal section grading 5.07% lead.
Between these principal zones, Shuka identified a 47.2-metre interval with zinc grades ranging between 0.4% and 3.1%. The company believes this newly discovered mineralised body may represent the up-dip and northern extension of the large historic No.1 Orebody, interpreting it as a steeply dipping, pipe-like structure that could materially expand the existing Kabwe mineralisation model.
Shuka’s Chief Executive, Richard Lloyd, highlighted the significance of the findings: “The near-surface mineralisation and exceptionally high peak zinc readings present exciting potential for early-stage exploitation, subject to further drilling, laboratory confirmation, and technical studies.”
While the initial results come from portable XRF readings and remain preliminary, laboratory assays from earlier drilling are expected shortly. The company plans to return to this promising new discovery area for a Phase 2 drilling campaign later this year to confirm and further define the resource.
Shuka Minerals is optimistic that this discovery could significantly enhance the value and scope of the Kabwe project, reinforcing its position in the region’s mining landscape.
