Eastinco Mining and Exploration (EM.P) has identified eleven new pegmatite zones during field traversing in Rwanda.
Eastincco, an Africa-focused investment firm is undertaking a geochemical soil sampling programme at the HCK Mining (HCK) JV licence, in which it holds 70% interest. Geological fieldwork commenced last month with the Phase-1 geochemical soil sampling programme.
The Phase-1 geochemical soil sampling programme at the licence, which covers 2,750 hectares and before the current work phase, hosted two identified occurrences, in progress over the 2,750 hectares HCK JV licence, with around 50% of the licence covered to date.
To date, eleven new pegmatite zones have been identified during field traversing, of which two possibly indicate strike extensions to the existing, known pegmatite zones, it reported. All samples will be shipped to an independent commercial laboratory for multi-element analysis.
Rare metals
Specifically, nine new pegmatite target zones, which potentially host rare metals, have been identified to date as well as two additional occurrences that were uncovered that may indicate the possible strike extensions to the known mineralised occurrences on the licence, it noted.
The Company explained to investors that the recent discovery of multiple new pegmatite zones, which were identified whilst traversing the licence, are of ‘significant interest’. Pegmatite is the typical host rock for the Tantalum-Niobium mineralisation in Rwanda.
At HCK-1, the new pegmatite occurrence potentially extends the strike from 650m to 1,200m towards the southeast, however further work is required to fully verify this. Eastinco said the extent or size of the pegmatite is unclear due to the lack of outcrop and recent surface cover.
Two known zones of extensive, multiple rare-metal hosting pegmatite had been identified in earlier reconnaissance visits to the licence which sits adjacent to other southern JV, where four known pegmatite zones have been identified for follow-up prospecting and evaluation.
Upon completion of the soil sampling programme, Eastinco will explore the potential strike and width dimensions of the newly discovered pegmatites either by manually excavated shallow pits or hand auguring, which is applied by manually rotating a cutting blade or auger. When the soil sample analytical results have been interpreted, a second phase of sampling may be undertaken to define and resolve any identified in-soil geochemical anomalies.
“The discovery of these nine new and potentially Tantalum-Niobium bearing zones is very exciting, especially considering we have only covered 50% of the licence area as a first pass. The possible strike extension to the HCK-1 project is more positive news, and I look forward to updating our shareholders as we continue our work on the ground to build on our knowledge of these targets. The results so far confirm our original expectation that this area could evolve into an exciting exploration play that will bolster our Rwanda-based asset portfolio, bringing added value to the Company and our shareholders,” stated Charles Bray, Chairman of Eastinco Mining.
