Kendrick Resources says new drilling results from its Teufelskuppe project have strengthened the potential for developing one of Namibia’s most significant rare earth mines, as the company accelerates work towards a maiden mineral resource estimate.
The company reported that a new 112-metre diamond drill hole at Teufelskuppe returned a weighted average grade of 3.03% total rare earth oxides (TREO), including more than 17 metres grading above 4%.
One section between 42 and 46 metres recorded a peak grade of 10.47% TREO, while a 7.25-metre interval returned 5.1%, highlighting strong mineralisation at depth.
“This is further verification that the very large surface expressions of the TK carbonatite contain similar grades, supporting our prognosis of continuity throughout the TK complex. It is important to note that the above-surface tonnage estimated for TK is very close to that of the Mt Pass deposit, whilst Kendrick has yet to include any tonnage estimate for sub-surface mineralisation at TK and has taken no account of the Kieshöhe tonnage potential,” said company Chairman Colin Bird.
The company said the latest drilling complements surface sampling across seven carbonatite bodies in the Teufelskuppe complex, where 295 samples averaged 3.12% TREO.
The highest surface reading reached 4.79%, supporting the company’s assessment of a large, high-grade deposit with strong continuity between surface and subsurface mineralisation.
Kendrick holds a 70% earn-in interest in the project through an agreement with Bonya Exploration and is planning a major 13,200-metre drilling campaign at Teufelskuppe to determine the extent of mineralisation below the surface.
A separate 10,500-metre drilling campaign is also underway at the nearby Kieshöhe target.
Kendrick said the project’s economics are supported by the composition of the rare earth basket, with neodymium and praseodymium accounting for around 25% of the resource.
The two elements are in high demand for the manufacture of permanent magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, defence systems and advanced electronics.
The company is also conducting metallurgical studies, beneficiation testing and infrastructure planning, including assessments of transport routes and a central processing facility that could serve both Teufelskuppe and Kieshöhe.
Kendrick aims to complete a maiden JORC-compliant resource estimate and preliminary economic assessment before moving towards a mining decision.
“Our prognosis that this is a potential top-tier world-class project is being justified with every technical step we take. The commissioning of a reverse circulation drilling programme will significantly accelerate the programme and confirm our expectations, as will continued surface trenching and sampling. We will keep the market informed as we receive results on a regular basis,” Bird said.
