AuKing Mining’s (ASX:AKN) first diamond hole at the Tundulu Rare Earth Project in Malawi has intersected extensive carbonatite geology well beyond the original target depth, with carbonatite still present at the end of hole.
That has pushed AuKing towards a much broader and deeper geological model than first anticipated.
300m becomes 510m
Hole 26NH032 began as a 150m diamond tail beneath an existing RC hole, targeting a total depth of ~300m.
Instead, continued carbonatite intersections convinced the team to keep drilling.
The hole eventually finished at 510.6m, with logging showing altered carbonatite and carbonatite breccias continuing right to the bottom.
Importantly, the geology does not appear to close off at depth.
That doesn’t yet tell investors the grade, but it does suggest the intrusive system could be substantially larger than the original Nathace Hill model.
Figure 1: Diamond drill core from approximately 505.2–510.6m downhole in 26NH032, showing variably altered carbonatite and carbonatite breccias continuing to the end of hole.
District-scale story gets another boost
The deeper result builds on AuKing’s completed 4,300m RC campaign, where widespread carbonatite was logged across 31 holes, including areas hundreds of metres away from Nathace Hill.
The emerging picture is of a potentially much larger carbonatite complex across Tundulu.
Managing Director Paul Williams said the decision to extend the first diamond hole reflected just how consistently the target geology continued below 300m.
Figure 2: Tundulu Project, highlighting the location of the main target area for drilling at Nathace Hill with nearby Kamilala Hill to the north and Tundulu Hill to the east.
Now the assays matter
This is still a geological story until the laboratory numbers arrive.
The first 1,270 RC samples are now at Intertek’s Perth laboratory, with AuKing prioritising the first four holes for turnaround.
Seven export approvals covering most of the 4,165 RC samples have also been secured.
That means the assay pipeline is finally starting to move.
What’s next
More deep diamond holes are planned around Nathace Hill, while RC assays are expected to begin flowing over the coming weeks.
If those results support the geological model, AuKing Mining intends to move towards a maiden Tundulu Mineral Resource before year-end.
The carbonatite has already gone deeper than expected, now AuKing just needs the grades to follow.
