AuKing Drilling Confirms Extensive Carbonatite at Tundulu Ahead of Diamond Phase

Widespread Carbonatite Intersections Confirmed by Early Drilling

AuKing Mining Limited (ASX:AKN) has reported compelling early results from its Tundulu Rare Earth Project in southern Malawi, with geological logging confirming carbonatite lithologies in 20 of the 21 reverse circulation (RC) drillholes completed so far. This extensive presence of carbonatite – the host rock for rare earth elements – extends beyond the historically drilled Nathace Hill area, indicating a potentially larger intrusive system than previously understood.

The first 3,000 metres of a planned 10,000-metre combined RC and diamond drilling program have already been completed, with seven holes logging over 100 metres of carbonatite each. Notably, drillholes at the previously untested Kamilala Hill target, some 500 metres north of Nathace Hill, have intersected carbonatite, lending early geological validation to the recent airborne magnetic survey interpretations.

Diamond Drilling to Extend Carbonatite System Depth and Continuity

The company plans to mobilise a diamond drilling rig to site in the third week of July. This next phase will involve drilling from surface and extending selected RC holes with diamond tails to better define the geometry and depth of the carbonatite intrusive complex. The diamond drilling will be guided by geological logging and forthcoming assay results, which are expected in late July after sample dispatch to Intertek Laboratories in Perth.

Thompson Resources, the current drilling contractor, has completed 19 RC holes totalling 2,693 metres at Nathace Hill and an additional two holes at Kamilala Hill. A further seven RC holes, approximately 1,050 metres, are planned to complete the RC component before diamond drilling commences. The integrated approach aims to refine the geological model and optimise resource definition.

Licence Transfer and Exploration Agreement Progress

Meanwhile, AuKing is advancing the transfer of the Tundulu exploration licence (EL 0731/24) to its Malawi subsidiary, Tundulu Rare Earths Limited. The transfer documentation has been lodged with the Malawi Mining and Minerals Regulatory Authority and is under review. The company continues exploration under an earn-in agreement with Tusker Minerals Limited (ASX:TSK) and its Malawi subsidiary, Green Exploration Limited, which currently holds the licence. This arrangement allows AuKing to maintain exploration activities while awaiting regulatory approval.

With a new Minister for Mining, The Honourable Mr Thoko Tembo MP, recently appointed, AuKing is working closely with ministry officials to facilitate the licence transfer. There are no known impediments to operating in the area, and the licence covers approximately 91.5 square kilometres of prospective terrain.

Next Steps and Market Implications

The pending assay results will be crucial to assessing the rare earth mineralisation potential of the extensive carbonatite system. While geological logging offers strong encouragement, the true grade and economic viability remain to be determined. The diamond drilling program scheduled for July represents a critical step in testing the vertical and lateral continuity of mineralisation.

AuKing’s methodical approach, combining recent geophysical data with systematic drilling, aims to unlock the full scale of the Tundulu carbonatite complex. Investors will be keen to see whether the early geological promise translates into a substantive rare earth resource, especially given the strategic importance of these elements in global technology supply chains.