Shuka Minerals has successfully completed the second diamond drill hole at the No.2 ore body of the Kabwe Zinc Mine in Zambia, intersecting 9.79% zinc over 15.5 metres from 251.20 metres down‑hole, with a maximum grade of 45.7% zinc recorded.
The hole, KBDD02, was planned at 80 degrees with a bearing of 130 degrees to intersect the ore body below current workings and below the previous KBDD01 hole at a depth of approximately 300 metres.
It said a down‑hole gyroscope survey recorded a final depth of 318.7 metres, an azimuth of 135.72 degrees and a dip of 78.30 degrees.
A wide disseminated footwall mineralisation was also recorded, where 52.0 metres averaged 1.06% zinc based on 156 pXRF readings.
This, Shuka said, included lenses of mineralisation at around 276 metres averaging 3.5% zinc and a spot peak value of 18.39% zinc at 285.33 metres.
The entire 67.50‑metre interval from the top of the main orebody to the end of the hole (251.20 metres to 318.70 metres) averaged 3.08% zinc.
The Behre Dolbear 2023 NI 43‑101 report indicates that the No.2 ore body has 3.1 million tonnes of ore remaining at grades of 11.4% zinc and 1.7% lead, plus silver and vanadium oxide.
“Our drilling campaign continues to deliver some amazing Zn grades,” said company chief executive Richard Lloyd.
“With every hole and intersection we are learning more and more about the orebody. It is also encouraging to have a much wider orebody than first envisaged – 67m of mineralisation into the host dolomite is very pleasing.”
Drilling is already underway on the third hole, which will target the orebody in a laterally extended zone.
Shuka aims to increase the existing resource by 50%, subject to drilling results.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor-In-Chief, Rough & Polished
