Evolution Energy Minerals Drills First Holes at Chikundo Copper Target in Tanzania
Key Takeaways
- RC drilling is now underway at EV1's Chikundo Copper Project in Tanzania, with 17 holes totalling approximately 3,350 metres across a priority phase (9 holes, ~1,800m) and an optional follow-up phase (8 holes, ~1,550m).
- The priority holes target the Malachite Pit and the northeast-trending Chikundo copper anomaly, where historical drilling returned high-grade narrow intervals including 0.4 metres at 5.27% Cu and 0.6 metres at 1.35% Cu.
- Surface geochemistry at Chikundo is among the strongest indicators in EV1's portfolio, with peak soil copper of 5,870 ppm coincident with tellurium of 70.9 ppm and bismuth of 82.5 ppm — pathfinder elements that vector toward active copper systems.
- Optional holes covering Chikundo West, Chikundo North, and Nangurugai will be sequenced based on observations from the priority drilling phase, giving the programme built-in geological flexibility.
- Chikundo advances alongside EV1's flagship Chilalo Graphite Project, which targets first graphite concentrate production in October 2027, giving the company dual exposure to energy transition metals.
Drill bit hits ground at Chikundo as EV1’s maiden copper programme gets underway
Reverse circulation (RC) drilling is now underway at Evolution Energy Minerals’ Chikundo Copper Project in Tanzania’s Lindi Region, marking the transition from target definition to direct subsurface testing. The maiden programme comprises 17 RC holes totalling approximately 3,350 metres, split across a priority phase and an optional follow-up phase.
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What the drill programme is targeting
The programme is structured in two phases, with daily geological logging and pXRF analysis guiding sequencing throughout.
Priority holes — beneath the Malachite Pit and Chikundo anomaly
Nine priority holes totalling approximately 1,800 metres are focused on the Malachite Pit (a historical working) and the coherent northeast-trending Chikundo copper anomaly. These holes are designed to test whether copper mineralisation and hydrothermal alteration observed at surface continue at depth and along strike.
Most holes are planned to a nominal depth of 200 metres, at a dip of -60° and azimuth of 352°. The programme includes holes designed to twin and extend historical diamond drill holes that were only selectively assayed for copper — including NRD11-047, which returned 0.4 metres at 5.27% Cu, and NRD11-050, which returned 0.6 metres at 1.35% Cu and 1.0 metres at 1.03% Cu. These are narrow-interval historical results previously reported by EV1 on 10 February 2025, and should be read as indicators of potential rather than evidence of broad mineralisation.
Optional holes — broadening the target portfolio
Eight optional holes totalling approximately 1,550 metres provide follow-up coverage across three additional prospects: Chikundo West, Chikundo North, and Nangurugai. These holes are contingent on observations and data from the priority drilling phase. The planned Nangurugai hole is designed to 150 metres at a dip of -70°.
| Programme Phase | Holes | Metres | Key Targets | Trigger Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Priority | 9 | ~1,800m | Malachite Pit, Chikundo anomaly strike | Immediate — underway |
| Optional | 8 | ~1,550m | Chikundo West, Chikundo North, Nangurugai | Subject to priority drilling observations |
Why Chikundo stands out as EV1’s top copper priority
Chikundo is EV1’s highest-priority copper target, supported by a convergence of surface geological, geochemical, and geophysical indicators.
RC drilling (Reverse Circulation drilling) is a method that produces rock chip samples from depth for geochemical analysis. It is widely used for first-pass subsurface testing of geochemical and geophysical targets because it is faster and more cost-effective than diamond drilling. Geochemical pathfinders — elements like tellurium and bismuth that travel alongside or beyond a mineralising copper system — help geologists vector toward prospective zones, particularly when copper itself may be diluted at surface.
At Chikundo, those signals are strong. The strongest historical soil result at the prospect was 5,870 ppm copper (previously reported 29 October 2024), coincident with peak tellurium of 70.9 ppm and bismuth of 82.5 ppm. The current programme is designed to test whether this surface expression is associated with significant copper mineralisation below the weathered profile.
The four key surface indicators supporting the drill target are:
- Visible malachite and azurite (secondary copper minerals) at surface, indicative of underlying copper mineralisation
- Coincident copper and pathfinder-element soil anomaly, with peak copper of 5,870 ppm
- Gossanous, chlorite-sericite altered zone interpreted as part of a hydrothermal copper system (a gossan is an iron-rich oxidised surface expression that can form above sulphide mineralisation)
- Airborne magnetic and VTEM data indicating structural pathways capable of hosting mineralisation
For investors, Chikundo represents meaningful exposure to a potential new copper discovery running alongside EV1’s flagship Chilalo Graphite Project, adding a second energy transition metal to the company’s exploration pipeline.
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What comes next for EV1 investors
The steps from here to assay results follow a clear sequence:
- Complete the priority drilling programme (9 holes, approximately 1,800 metres)
- Ongoing geological logging and sampling on a daily basis
- Batch submission of samples to the laboratory
- Assess priority results to determine optional hole sequencing
- Report validated assay results in accordance with the JORC Code
Craig Moulton, Managing Director
“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…”
EV1’s broader strategic context sits across two assets. While Chikundo advances through its maiden drill programme, the company’s Chilalo Graphite Project remains its flagship, with management targeting first graphite concentrate production in October 2027, subject to funding, approvals and execution risks. Together, the two projects give EV1 dual exposure to the energy transition minerals thematic — graphite for battery anodes and copper for electrification infrastructure.
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