Kendrick Resources PLC (LON: KEN) has begun drilling at its Kieshöhe project in Namibia, marking a step forward in its rare earth exploration strategy.
The company is also sourcing a second drill rig to accelerate work across both Kieshöhe and Teufelskuppe, while more than 2,500 metres of trenching is underway, with samples being analysed for grade and ore sorting potential.
Previous drilling and sampling have returned an average Total Rare Earth Element (TREE) grade of 1.6 wt%, with neodymium and praseodymium contributing around 27% of the rare earth mix—key elements for high-value applications.
Three open-pit targets have already been identified at Kieshöhe, which could act as satellite feed sources to support the broader development of the flagship Teufelskuppe project.
The current programme is aimed at progressing towards a maiden mineral resource estimate.
Highlights
· Assay results derived from 14 diamond drill holes (Phase I) together with channel sampling generated an average TREE grade of 1.6 wt%
· TREE abundance for whole-rock channel samples from dolomitic ferrocarbonatite outcrop and xenolith-free core sections shows an average grade of 2.0 wt %.
· High-value, super magnet rare earths neodymium (Nd) and praseodymium (Pr) provide an average contribution of 27 wt% to the rare earth pool.
· Three open pits have already been identified as potential satellite sources of ore supply to complement the high-grade expected resource from Teufelskuppe, the flagship REE project for Kendrick
Chairman, Colin Bird said: “The Kieshöhe work programme will assess the potential for the project to serve as a supporting venture to our flagship Teufelskuppe project. The extensive and diverse historical exploration at Kieshöhe has broadly defined a large REE resource at very good grades at a time when REE resources have been identified are a priority for society globally. We will now progress a detailed work programme that is centred on confirming the lateral and depth continuity of the surface geology, grade and mineral assemblage leading to a JORC (2012) Mineral Resource Estimate supported by comprehensive metallurgical test work.”
