Shuka Minerals (AIM/AltX: SKA) has reported further encouraging drilling from the newly identified orebody at its Kabwe Zinc Mine, with KBDD10 intersecting 61.5 metres of mineralisation from surface grading 3.96% zinc.
Portable XRF readings recorded a peak of 68.0% zinc, alongside 4% lead and 0.34% copper, providing further evidence of high-grade, multi-element mineralisation in the previously unknown zone south of the Speaks and Mine Club orebodies.
The 61.5m intersection included a higher-grade basal zone of 2.20m at 16.90% zinc, while a separate 9.7m interval averaged 6.69% zinc. Short intervals containing between 1% and 5.25% lead were also identified.
Importantly, the mineralisation begins at surface. Shuka believes this could potentially provide an opportunity for early-stage exploitation, although considerably more drilling and laboratory analysis will be required to establish the geometry, continuity and economic potential of the discovery.
KBDD10 is only the second of three exploration holes targeting the new orebody. Early geological interpretation suggests the mineralisation may have a pipe-like geometry associated with a major shear or fault zone.
The latest result follows KBDD09, announced on 13 August, which intersected several substantial mineralised intervals in the same newly identified area, including 43.70m at 10.77% zinc.
The results currently come from calibrated portable XRF measurements and therefore remain subject to confirmation through JORC/NI 43-101 laboratory analysis.
Shuka expects to report results from KBDD11, the final hole targeting the new orebody, shortly, alongside laboratory assays from the earlier Pit 2 drilling.
Chief Executive Richard Lloyd said the surface occurrence and exceptionally high peak grades were encouraging, adding that the exploration programme increasingly suggests the broader Kabwe orebody could be materially larger than originally modelled.
