Evolution Energy Minerals Limited has commenced a reverse circulation drilling programme at the Chikundo Copper Project in the Lindi Region of southern Tanzania.

The maiden drilling campaign follows delays due to local contractor availability, after the company received Mining Commission approval to finalise its drilling contract in August. The technical programme comprises 17 reverse circulation holes for approximately 3,350 metres. Nine priority holes totalling roughly 1,800 metres are designed to test the Malachite Pit sulphide zone and the strike length of the main copper anomaly.

The scope includes holes intended to twin and extend historical diamond drill holes that previously returned high-grade intervals, such as hole NRD11-047, which yielded 0.4 metres at 5.27% copper. A further eight optional holes for approximately 1,550 metres are designed to test the Chikundo West, Chikundo North and Nangurugai prospects, subject to observations and data from the initial drilling.

During the June quarter, Evolution Energy Minerals advanced the project from a historical copper occurrence to a drill-ready exploration target.

“Commencing drilling at Chikundo is a major milestone for EV1. For the first time, we are directly testing beneath the strongest copper and pathfinder anomalies at a project where copper mineralisation is visible at surface and historical drilling returned high-grade copper over narrow intervals.”

— Craig Moulton, Managing Director

Evolution Energy Minerals will continue the priority reverse circulation drilling programme, complete geological logging and sampling, and submit samples to the laboratory in batches.

Read the full announcement: Chikundo RC Drilling Programme Underway