Blaze Minerals Unveils High-Grade Gallium and Rubidium at Ntungamo

New Critical Mineral Discovery Confirmed

Blaze Minerals Limited (ASX, BLZ) has announced compelling assay results from its maiden drilling campaign at the Ntungamo Project in Uganda, confirming a new discovery of critical minerals Gallium and Rubidium. The company completed five diamond drill holes targeting two pegmatite bodies, totaling 1,548 meters during the June quarter. The latest results, particularly from holes NT-DD-004 and NT-DD-005, have delivered the highest-grade intercepts to date, highlighting the project's potential.

Significant High-Grade Intercepts

The standout intercepts include 12 meters grading 33 ppm Ga2O3 and 494 ppm Rb2O from 165 meters depth, 13 meters at 27 ppm Ga2O3 and 441 ppm Rb2O from 226 meters, and 18 meters at 24 ppm Ga2O3 and 463 ppm Rb2O from 307 meters in hole NT-DD-004. Hole NT-DD-005 returned 17 meters at 25 ppm Ga2O3 and 498 ppm Rb2O from 140 meters, including a 1-meter zone with an exceptional 934 ppm Rb2O. These results underscore the presence of multiple high-grade zones within the second pegmatite body, complementing earlier findings from the first pegmatite.

Geological Context and Exploration Approach

The Ntungamo Project lies within the Mesoproterozoic Kibaran Belt, characterized by metasediments intruded by late-stage lithium-cesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatites and associated granitoids. These geological formations are known to host critical metals, including Gallium, Scandium, and Rubidium. The drilling campaign was designed to intersect pegmatites at near-perpendicular angles to better understand their geometry and mineralisation at depth. Core recovery was excellent below 50 meters, ensuring reliable sampling.

Strategic Importance of Gallium and Rubidium

Gallium plays a crucial role in semiconductor manufacturing, particularly in LEDs and solar panels, making it a sought-after critical metal amid growing demand for clean energy technologies. Rubidium, while less well-known, is also valuable for various high-tech applications. Blaze Minerals’ discovery positions the Ntungamo Project as a potentially significant source of these metals, aligning with global trends toward securing critical mineral supply chains.

Next Steps and Market Implications

Managing Director Mathew Walker expressed enthusiasm about the results, noting the robust potential of the Ntungamo Project and confirming that the company will review the data to determine the next phase of exploration. While true widths of mineralised zones remain to be established and no resource estimates have yet been reported, these high-grade intercepts provide a strong foundation for further work. Investors and analysts will be watching closely for updates on resource delineation and development plans.