Lotus discovers uranium mineralisation at Chilumba

By Tawonga Mayuni

ASX-listed Lotus Resources, which runs the Kayelekera Uranium Mine in Karonga, says its maiden drilling program at its Chilumba prospect has identified uranium mineralization.

The exploration program which was designed to test surface radiometric anomalies that had been detected through an aerial program has yielded results that have highlighted the potential for additional uranium discoveries at the company’s regional targets.

MD for Lotus Resources Keith Bowes said in a statement the company is delighted to have successfully encountered uranium mineralization in their first limited drill program.

“The Chilumba prospect was identified, and subsequently tested through a surface radiometric anomaly, and we are delighted to have successfully encountered uranium mineralization in our first limited drill program. Whilst further work is clearly required at Chilumba, as well as our regional targets, the opportunity for new uranium discoveries is clearly there,” he said

Bowes said that the company recognizes the opportunity for new discoveries aside from the recently completed feasibility study for the Kayelekera Uranium Mine.

“While the company’s major focus this year has been on the recently completed feasibility study of the Kayelekera Uranium Mine; the company recognizes the opportunity for new discoveries across its entire tenement package. This opportunity is perhaps the greatest in our southern project area, where little to no historical exploration work has been undertaken” he said

The Chilumba prospect lies within the Chilumba exploration tenement (EL418) which is located in northern Malawi, approximately 80km southeast of the company’s Kayelekera Uranium Mine.

The exploration drill at Chilumba commenced in early 2022, and the drill was carried out by Thompson Drilling Lda of Mozambique, with downhole radiometric logging undertaken by experienced local contractors under the supervision of Lotus geologists.

The company is currently reviewing the opportunity to undertake additional drilling at its other prospect, Livingstonia, to follow up on high grade trends identified in that program. At the same time, a program to further delineate the Chilumba mineralization by following up on the interpreted north-westerly tending channel will be considered.

Meanwhile, Lotus has completed the second stage of its preliminary exploration work at the company’s Milenje rare earth prospect, located 2km from the company’s flagship Kayelekera Uranium project.

Bowes said in a separate statement that the recent exploration was carried out to follow up on the promising early trenching work carried out at Milenje in 2020/21 and exploration has confirmed the presence of exceptionally high grade rare earth elements (REEs) previously reported.

“This exploration program was carried out to follow up on the promising early work carried out at Milenje by the company in 2020/21. The new sampling at the existing trenches confirmed the exceptionally high REE assays reported previously. Several of the samples from this new program returning TREO’s grade greater than 15%. The mineralogy work showed that the rare earths were contained in the mineral allanite” he said

The MD has however said that the 15 hole RC drill program has shown that the rare earths grades are lower than expected, a development that will help the company with valuable information on the structures and lithologies that can be used to better understand what is controlling the mineralization.

“The 15-hole RC drill program, showed that while drilling did encounter some anomalous zones, the REE grades were lower than expected. Following a review of the program, we believe the structures are more complex than originally anticipated, however the program has provided valuable information on lithologies and structures that can be used to better understand what is controlling the mineralization” he said

Meanwhile, the company says it is considering undertaking a follow up exploration program at Milenje in 2023 to better understand the potential for rare earth mineralization at the prospect as the rare earth grades at Milenje are highly promising.

Bowes said an additional low-cost program at Milenje during 2023 is warranted to validate the updated structural information which from then decision on a future drilling program can be made

The Milenje hills prospect was first identified through ground surveys and mapping in 2014 whilst the previous owners of the asset were undertaking an exploration program for uranium mineralization adjacent to the Kayelekera resource.

The prospect was then followed up by Lotus in 2020/21. The exploration has identified the following rare earths; Neodymium, Europium, Terbium, Dysprosium, and Praseodymium.

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