Shuka Minerals Plc (LSE:SKA) has reported assay results showing zinc grades of up to 49.7% from drilling at the newly identified Sperm Whale zone within its Kabwe Zinc Mine project in Zambia.
The AIM-listed mining company received results from ALS Laboratories covering the remaining drill holes KBDD06 to KBDD11 in the Speaks and Mine Club areas, alongside findings from drilling at the previously untested Sperm Whale zone.
The results identified multiple substantial intersections of high-grade zinc mineralisation in the Swimming Pool zone, while drilling at Sperm Whale encountered zinc mineralisation from surface, with grades increasing at depth.
According to Shuka, the findings support its exploration programme aimed at expanding the historical remaining mineral resource at Kabwe and improving geological understanding of the project’s mineralised zones.
ALS Assays Confirm Zinc Mineralisation at Speaks and Mine Club
The latest laboratory results cover drill holes KBDD06 through KBDD11, completing the reported assay results for the relevant drilling programme in the Speaks and Mine Club areas.
Shuka said the assays confirmed multiple thick intersections of zinc mineralisation within the Swimming Pool zone.
The laboratory findings were consistent with earlier readings obtained using portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) equipment, which had provided preliminary indications of mineral content during exploration.
The company also reported that the results were consistent with existing NI 43-101 resource estimates for the Speaks and Mine Club ore bodies, where previously identified mineral resources contain double-digit zinc grades.
These areas form part of the broader Kabwe mineral system, which contains zinc, lead and associated metals.
Sperm Whale Zone Returns Zinc Grades of Up to 49.7%
Drilling at the newly discovered Sperm Whale zone identified zinc mineralisation in an area that had not previously been tested through the company’s drilling programme.
Assay results returned grades reaching 49.7% zinc, with mineralisation encountered at surface and higher grades reported at greater depths.
The findings provide additional exploration information for an area outside the previously established drilling targets at Kabwe.
Shuka intends to conduct further drilling to establish the geometry and extent of the Sperm Whale mineralisation.
Although the reported grades indicate the presence of high-grade zinc, additional geological work will be required to determine the size, continuity and resource potential of the newly identified zone.
The company has not provided a separate mineral resource estimate for Sperm Whale in the supplied announcement.
Shuka Targets 50% Increase in Historical Remaining Resource
Shuka said the latest drilling results support its objective of increasing Kabwe’s historical remaining mineral resource by at least 50%.
This remains an exploration target rather than an established resource increase, with further drilling and geological evaluation required to determine whether the objective can be achieved.
The company plans to intensify drilling across selected areas of the Kabwe project, including work at the No 2 orebody to improve confidence in existing mineral resource estimates.
Additional drilling at Sperm Whale will focus on defining the shape and distribution of the newly identified mineralisation.
Shuka is also applying quality assurance and quality control procedures to its exploration activities as it seeks to improve the geological information supporting future resource assessments.
Kabwe Exploration Focuses on Multiple Mineralised Zones
The Kabwe Zinc Mine contains several historically productive ore bodies, including Speaks, Mine Club and No 2.
Existing indicated and inferred mineral resources at the project include zinc and lead mineralisation, alongside associated silver, vanadium oxide and copper.
The company’s exploration strategy involves evaluating remaining mineralisation within established ore bodies while investigating additional zones identified through drilling.
The latest results from Swimming Pool and Sperm Whale provide further geological information for these activities.
Future drilling will be directed towards improving resource confidence and assessing whether newly identified mineralisation can contribute to the project’s overall mineral inventory.
About Shuka Minerals Plc
Shuka Minerals Plc (LSE:SKA) is an African-focused mining and mineral development company listed on AIM in London and AltX in Johannesburg.
Its principal activities centre on the Kabwe Zinc Mine in Zambia, where the company is exploring zinc, lead and associated base metal mineralisation.
Shuka’s current work includes drilling at the Speaks, Mine Club and No 2 ore bodies, alongside investigation of newly identified mineralised zones. The company aims to expand its remaining mineral resource base and improve resource classifications through further exploration and geological assessment.
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