By Oscar Nkala
London Stock Exchange (LSE)–listed Galileo Resources Plc has reported the intersection of high grade zinc mineralisation during preliminary exploratory drilling on the Star Zinc project in Zambia.
In a statement the company also reported the intersection high value mineralisation of up to 63 ppm (parts per million) of germanium (Ge), a metal used to make components for microscopes and cameras.
The company said the three holes yielded between 20.12% and 38.15% zinc at depths ranging between 6m and 20m. High values of silver, which are associated with high zinc mineralisation, were also found.
Galileo chief executive Colin Bird said a further exploration programme that will use ground geophysical survey methods will be launched soon to gauge other anomalies in the area.
“We are very pleased with these results. The presence of germanium and silver constitutes potentially valuable by-products and possible revenue. This ore body shows the potential for significant quantities of high-grade willemite zinc mineralisation.
“A postulated feeder source for this mineralisation could be sulphides and we will be seeking external expert advice to assist with locating this possible source,” Bird said.
To date, more than 1 100m of diamond core drilling has been completed on 24 holes at the project. The company has invested more than US$250 000 in the Zambian project.
The bulk of the money was used to fund exploration, geochemical soil sampling, resource evaluations and core drilling operations.
