Shuka Minerals (AIM:SKA) reported 29.58% zinc over 19m from 221.10m to 240.10m in its third Kabwe drill hole, KBDD03.
Shuka Minerals is an African-focused mine operator and developer, and the Behre Dolbear 2023 NI 43-101 report estimates the No.2 ore body contains 3.1m tonnes at 11.4% zinc and 1.7% lead, plus silver and vanadium oxide.
A down-hole gyroscope survey recorded KBDD03 at 240m with a final azimuth of 123.66° and a dip of 65.49°, versus the planned 250m at 125° and 65° to test 30m east of KBDD01.
The intersection result is an arithmetic average of 62 portable XRF readings taken at three readings per metre of whole core, with individual values ranging 1.0-53.0% zinc and the uppermost 9m averaging 40.09% zinc.
Those portable XRF numbers are preliminary and will be verified by JORC/NI 43-101 laboratory assays, and the 2026 exploration programme aims to increase the existing resource by 50% subject to results.
Mineralisation is reported as weakly brecciated to semi-massive haematitic ironstone dominated by zinc silicate, likely willemite, with the footwall of fractured dolomite hosting haematite stringers.
The GeoQuest geological team and CEO Richard Lloyd are on site overseeing the initial 2,000m phase of drilling by Ox Drilling, and the company has commenced a fourth hole targeting the western extension of the orebody.
"The follow up holes of our campaign continue to deliver excellent Zn grades, with every hole and intersection we are learning more and more about the orebody," said CEO Richard Lloyd.
Further updates will be provided as drilling advances.
