Eastinco Mining provides Rwanda exploration update

Highlights

• Phase-1 geochemical soil sampling programme in progress over the 2750 ha. HCK JV licence, with approximately 50% of the licence covered to date.
• 11 new pegmatite zones identified during field traversing, of which two possibly indicate strike extensions of known Tantalum-Niobium mineralised zones.
• Two known zones of extensive, multiple rare-metal hosting pegmatite identified in earlier reconnaissance visits to the HCK licence.
• Licence is adjacent to other southern JV, where four known pegmatite zones have been identified for follow-up prospecting and evaluation.
• The exploration field team continues to engage with the local community and stakeholders on these project areas.

Charles Bray, Chairman of Eastinco, stated: “I am very pleased to provide this operational update on the ongoing fieldwork in southern Rwanda. 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.”

Exploration progress update, HCK JV

Geological fieldwork commenced in December 2021 with the Phase-1 geochemical soil sampling programme. This work is ongoing, with approximately 50% of the licence area covered by the sampling team, with completion expected in February 2022. All samples will be shipped to an independent commercial laboratory for multi-element analysis.

Of significant interest is the discovery of multiple new pegmatite zones identified whilst traversing the licence. Pegmatite is the typical host rock for the Tantalum-Niobium mineralisation in Rwanda. Nine new pegmatite target zones, which potentially host rare metals, have been identified to date. Two additional occurrences have been uncovered that may indicate the possible strike extensions to the known mineralised occurrences on the licence. At HCK-1, the new pegmatite occurrence potentially extends the strike of this occurrence from 650 – 1200 m towards the southeast, however additional work is required to fully verify this. At all locations, the extent or size of the pegmatite is unclear to the lack of outcrop and recent surface cover.

Upon completion of the soil sampling programme, the company will follow up and explore the potential strike and width dimensions of the newly discovered pegmatites, through a process of manually excavated shallow pits or hand auguring. When the soil sample analytical results have been received and interpreted, a second phase of sampling may be undertaken to define and resolve any identified in-soil geochemical anomalies.

Kinunga Mining Ltd – a JV between Eastinco and HCK Mining Ltd

This is a JV with HCK Mining Ltd with Eastinco holding a 70% interest. The licence covers 2750 ha. and before the current work phase, hosted two identified occurrences. The main occurrence referred to as HCK-1, represents an approximately 30 m wide kaolinised pegmatite striking along a NW-SE trending ridgeline with a minimum extension of 650 m. Additional extensions of at least 150 m to the NW of the ridgeline have been confirmed during an earlier site visit. The second occurrence, HCK-2, is an E-W trending, 5 – 10 m wide pegmatite which is currently less well understood, occurring in a structurally complex setting.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/exploration-development/11012022/eastinco-mining-provides-rwanda-exploration-update/