Shuka Minerals, an Africa-focused mine operator and developer listed on AIM, has completed its fifth diamond drill hole at the No. 2 ore body at its Kabwe Zinc Mine in Zambia, returning 38.90% zinc over 3.50 metres from 338.00 to 341.50 metres downhole.
The result confirms mineralisation remains open at depth, with pinpoint XRF readings across the interval ranging from 6.70% to 68.6% zinc, and one peak lead reading of 17.5%, suggesting increasing lead content with depth.
The hole reached a final depth of 419 metres after drillers navigated a historic mining cavity and karst voids between 324.90 and 327.75 metres that caused a four to six degree westward deviation.
A secondary ironstone band averaged 2.63% zinc over 2.40 metres at around 374 to 376 metres.
A 2023 NI 43-101 report by Behre Dolbear estimates the No. 2 ore body holds 3.1 million tonnes at 11.4% zinc and 1.7% lead, plus silver and vanadium oxide.
"This deep hole gives us much more information about the orebody and its behaviour at depth and we are now confident we can drill to 700m+ to confirm the deepest reaches of the previously developed ore body," said CEO Richard Lloyd.
A sixth hole has commenced, targeting the "Speaks" zone approximately one kilometre from the Pit 2 area, with an anticipated depth of 250 to 300 metres.
