Mining
Maiden Tundulu drilling delivers exceptional rare earth intersections
September 26, 2026 / Marcel Chimwala
ASX-listed Auking has reported exceptional high-grade assay results received from initial series of Reverse Circulation (RC) drill holes at its Tundulu Rare Earth Elements (REE) Project in the district of Phalombe in southern Malawi, exceeding reported intersections from historical drilling.
AuKing’s MD Paul Williams said: “AuKing is delighted to announce the first assay results from its maiden drilling program at Tundulu in southern Malawi. The first three holes have identified wide zones of high-grade REE mineralisation and set the scene for a steady flow of assay results from the rest of the 4,300m RC drilling program. These results not only validate (and surpass) historical drilling results but identify the potential for a much larger mineralised footprint at Tundulu than was originally considered. We have prioritised assaying of the first two diamond drill holes where carbonatites were observed to depths of 500m and will eagerly await the results from those.”
“It suffices to say that these initial results have already propelled Tundulu onto a pathway for a maiden mineral resource estimate and our focus has already turned toward that activity.”
Assay results from the first three drilled RC holes at Tundulu demonstrate wide zones of high grade REE mineralisation. Highlighted assays include the following:
26NH005 — 91m @ 1.51% TREO from 40m Including — 43m @ 2.00% TREO from 77m Including — 15m @ 3.40% TREO from 90m
Williams reported that unusually high heavy rare earth enrichment – the elevated HREE+Y proportions represent a highly distinctive rare earth signature, distinguishing Tundulu from conventional carbonatite hosted deposits. This quality is demonstrated by thick intervals of uniquely high HREO/TREO enrichment including:
26NH005 — 8m @ 16.09% HREE+Y/ TREO from 68m, 7m @ 12.75% HREE+Y/ TREO from 80m, and 6m @ 8.88% HREE+Y/ TREO from 120m.
26NH029 — 42m @ 11.46% HREE+Y/TREO from 13m, 4m @ 9.45% HREE+Y/ TREO from 60m and 12m @ 8.54% HREE+Y/ TREO from 68m.
He said diamond core samples from 510m drill hole 26NH032 and 400m hole 26NH023 presented extensive carbonatite lithology throughout and are urgently being assessed and prepared for assay.
Several additional batches of samples are also either currently at the Intertek Perth laboratory or on their way, with the expectation of further assay results over the coming weeks.
Drill holes 26NH004, 26NH005 and 26NH029 were completed sequentially in that order, with the non-sequential hole numbering reflecting identifiers assigned solely for drill planning purposes.
Based on the exceptional results from the initial drillholes at Tundulu, AuKing is now taking formal steps to commence work on an initial Mineral Resource Estimate for the Tundulu Project, fast tracking development studies.
Williams hailed Malawi describing it as a cost-competitive African mining jurisdiction with enormous potential for growth, where competitive workforce costs and a relatively low operating cost environment have the potential to support efficient exploration and future project development, as demonstrated by Lindian Resources’ (~$A1.25b) Kangankude Project (261Mt at ~2.19% TREO)1 and Mkango Resources’ (~C$311m) Songwe Hill Project (21Mt at 1.41% TREO)2 located approximately 15km south of Tundulu.
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