Shuka Minerals reports 70% zinc grade at Kabwe drilling site

Zambia's Shuka Minerals Plc has reported a groundbreaking zinc grade of 69.6% at its Kabwe Zinc Mine, according to a press release. The company's eleventh drill hole, KBDD11, reached a depth of 155.30 meters and revealed two distinct ore zones.

The first interval, measuring 18.4 meters, contained 7.45% zinc and peaked at 18.9% zinc with a copper grade of 0.61%. The second, larger interval, stretching 27.1 meters, boasted a higher zinc grade of 19.60% with the highest recorded grade of 69.6%. This interval also had a vanadium grade of 2.7%.

A basal zone within the second interval, spanning 6.1 meters, showed a lead content of 5.07% from 89.9 to 96.0 meters. Lead concentrations varied from 0.1% to over 20%, along with copper detections. The company clarified that these findings, based on portable XRF readings, serve as an exploration guide and necessitate confirmation via laboratory testing.

The Behre Dolbear 2023 NI 43-101 report indicates the Speaks orebody holds 1.944 million tonnes of resources at 12% zinc and 2% lead, while the Mine Club orebody contains 0.666 million tonnes at 11.7% zinc and 0.8% lead. The drilling phase extended to a total of 2,500 meters. Shuka Minerals is an African-focused mine operator and developer.