Kendrick Resources (LSE:KEN) reported that a high‑resolution digital elevation model (DEM) and updated volumetric assessment at its Teufelskuppe rare earth project in south‑west Namibia support an in‑house estimate of approximately 14 million tonnes of above‑ground mineralised carbonatite.
The exposure is unusually accessible and high‑grade: surface TREO grades range from 2.2% to 7.06%, historic channel sampling averaged 3.1% TREO with peaks of 4.79% and 4.73%, and the DEM defined approximately 4.6 million cubic metres which, using a revised bulk density of 3.0 g/cm3, yields the 14Mt estimate, the company said.
"I am delighted with this initial internal tonnage estimate which already credits the Project with higher tonnage than most top tier projects," Colin Bird, Chairman of Kendrick Resources, said.
Kendrick cautioned the estimate is not JORC (2012) compliant but said the above‑ground character of the mineralisation lends itself to quarrying rather than conventional open‑pit extraction and materially lowers geological risk relative to typical sub‑surface deposits.
The company holds a 70% interest in Teufelskuppe under an agreement with Bonya Exploration Pty Namibia and said recent diamond drilling, including hole TSDD001, and ongoing channel sampling are targeting sub‑surface extensions and the conversion of surface and deeper mineralisation into a JORC (2012) Mineral Resource Estimate.
