AMN - ZAMBIA: High-grade zinc hits at Star project

Galileo Resources has hit very high-grade zinc in drilling at the Star project in Zambia. Results of between 41.51% and 46.58% were returned from three diamond holes drilled as part of a wider drilling program at the project.

To date, 26 diamond drill holes have been completed for 1200 metres to depths of between 24 metres and 81 metres.

Other results from seven recent holes included a weighted average assay of 23.54% zinc over a width of 22 metres downhole, 21.73% zinc over 25 metres and 19.82% zinc over 15 metres.

Galileo also continues to hit significant germanium values in drilling. Results include up to 29 parts per million associated with high-grade zinc mineralisation, and up to 38 grams per tonne.

Galileo chief executive Colin Bird said, "The results are very pleasing in that they exhibit a large zone of exceptionally high-grade zinc mineralisation.

“The additional mineralisation identified in karst/laterite zones could potentially lead to a considerable bulking up of Star zinc's overall tonnage.

"Other operations have reported smelting directly willemite (zinc mineral) ore in excess of 30% zinc without processing being required other than crushing.

"Previous test work on the project has also shown the karstic material is amenable to leaching. Another benefit is that the karst mineralisation is close to surface meaning that it is likely that this could be cheaply mined with minimal blasting.”

Galileo will now move on to the next phase of work at Star.

“Once all results are in place we will model the various ore types and develop a 3D model to direct drilling towards expanding the resource,” said Colin Bird. “This initial program and results lead me to be very optimistic on the future prospects of developing a new zinc contributor.”

The Star Zinc project is an historical small-scale open pit mine from where, reportedly, low tonnage, but high-grade willemite (a zinc silicate mineral) was extracted intermittently in the 1950s to 1990s.

The project is about 18km from Lusaka and is accessible via the tarred Great North Road and a good all weather graded road.

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