Atomic Eagle Limited has reported significant shallow uranium mineralisation from its maiden drilling at Muntanga East in Zambia, with a maiden resource estimate expected later this quarter. The results highlight potential for low-strip open-pit mining and support the company’s broader growth ambitions.
- First drilling at Muntanga East in 12 years reveals substantial uranium intercepts
- Multiple shallow, flat-lying mineralised zones less than 50m from surface
- Maiden Mineral Resource Estimate for Muntanga East due later this quarter
- Muntanga East located near existing 9.1 Mlb Muntanga and 29.6 Mlb Dibbwi East resources
- 2026 planned drill program aims to expand uranium resources across Muntanga Project
Significant Maiden Drilling Success at Muntanga East
Atomic Eagle Limited (ASX – AEU) has announced promising results from its inaugural drill campaign at the Muntanga East target, part of the broader Muntanga Uranium Project in Zambia. This marks the first substantial drilling activity at Muntanga East in over a decade, with the program successfully intersecting multiple zones of shallow, flat-lying uranium mineralisation.
The drilling campaign, comprising 75 holes totaling nearly 4,800 metres, revealed uranium grades ranging up to 1,230 ppm eU₃O₈ over intervals as thick as 24 metres. Notably, most mineralisation lies within 50 metres of the surface, indicating the potential for low-strip open-pit mining – a cost-effective extraction method that could enhance project economics.
Strategic Location and Geological Continuity
Muntanga East sits along strike and northeast of the existing Muntanga resource, which holds 9.1 million pounds of uranium oxide, and near the larger Dibbwi East resource with 29.6 million pounds. The mineralisation shares the same stratigraphic host rock, the Escarpment Grit Formation, and is highlighted by a strong radiometric anomaly, reinforcing the geological continuity of the district-scale project.
Atomic Eagle’s CEO Phil Hoskins emphasised the significance of these results, noting that the modest drill program has quickly delineated a near-surface uranium zone that complements the company’s refreshed exploration strategy focused on bulk, open-pittable deposits. The findings build on recent successes at the nearby Chisebuka target and set the stage for resource growth.
Upcoming Resource Estimate and Future Exploration
The company plans to release a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for Muntanga East later this quarter, following receipt of assay results from diamond drill holes. These assays will validate the gamma logging data used to estimate uranium grades during drilling.
Looking ahead, Atomic Eagle is preparing for a comprehensive exploration drilling campaign across the Muntanga Project in 2026. This program is anticipated to be the largest in 17 years, aiming to expand the current resource base significantly. The project benefits from excellent infrastructure, including sealed road access and proximity to export routes via Zambia and Namibia, which could facilitate future development.
Technical Rigor and Quality Assurance
The drilling utilized a combination of open-hole hammer and diamond core methods, with gamma logging calibrated against industry standards to ensure data reliability. Selected core samples have been sent for metallurgical testing to assess uranium recovery potential, a critical step toward defining economic viability.
Atomic Eagle’s exploration approach adheres to the JORC Code standards, with competent persons overseeing data compilation and reporting. This transparency and technical discipline provide confidence in the robustness of the reported results.
Bottom Line?
With a maiden resource estimate imminent and a major drill campaign planned, Atomic Eagle is poised to advance its uranium ambitions at Muntanga East and beyond.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the upcoming assay results from diamond drilling impact the final resource estimate?
- What are the expected timelines and targets for the 2026 broader Muntanga Project drilling program?
- How might uranium market dynamics influence the development strategy for these shallow, open-pittable deposits?