Shuka Minerals has completed the fifth diamond drill hole, KBDD05, at the No. 2 ore body of the Kabwe Zinc Mine in Zambia, returning 38.90% zinc over 3.50 metres from 338.00 to 341.50 metres down-hole.
The hole was planned at -80° with a bearing of 145° to intersect the ore body at approximately 320 to 350 metres depth and test the western limb of the ore body.
The company said it encountered a mining cavity between 324.90 metres and 327.75 metres, contributing to a westward deviation of 4° to 6°, but drilling continued to a final depth of 419 metres.
Individual portable XRF pinpoint readings over the interval ranged from 6.70% to 68.6% zinc, with one peak reading of 17.5% lead.
A lower ironstone band averaged 2.63% zinc over 2.40 metres from 373.60 to 376.0 metres.
“The deeper planned holes of any drilling campaign always contain some trepidation as you wait for expected ore zones to be hit,” said Shuka chief executive Richard Lloyd.
“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.”
Meanwhile, the company said a sixth hole has commenced to target a different, previously unexploited ore body in the "Speaks" area approximately one kilometre from the Pit 2 area.
“We have already moved the rig about 1km to the NE and have commenced the first of our step-out drill holes, aiming to explore the un-mined areas of ‘Speaks’ and ‘Mine Club’,” he said.
“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.”
The company seeks to increase the existing resource by 50%, subject to drilling results.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor-In-Chief, Rough & Polished
