Atomic Eagle Ltd (ASX:AEU, FRA:6QZ0) has intersected broad zones of shallow, flat-lying uranium mineralisation in its first drilling at the Muntanga East target in Zambia, strengthening the case for near-term resource growth at the broader Muntanga Uranium Project.
Results from the maiden drill program — the first at Muntanga East in more than a decade — delivered multiple thick intercepts at relatively modest depths, with most mineralisation occurring within 50 metres of surface. The shallow geometry supports the company’s strategy of targeting bulk, low-strip open-pittable uranium mineralisation close to its existing resource base.
Standout intersections included 24.1 metres at 323 parts per million (ppm) eU₃O₈ from 13.4 metres, including 6.0 metres at 706ppm from 24.0 metres, as well as 6.5 metres at 1,230ppm from 10.6 metres. Additional intercepts of note included 12.0 metres at 501ppm from 38.7 metres and 14.5 metres at 391ppm from 48.2 metres.
Muntanga East: Map showing significant intercepts from recent drilling plotted over ‘Grade x Thickness’ contours.
First drilling in 12 years confirms scale and continuity
The program comprised 75 holes for 4,799 metres, drilled on a 100-by-100-metre grid to test the Muntanga East target, which sits along strike and northeast of the existing Muntanga and Dibbwi East uranium resources.
Location of Muntanga East target within Muntanga Project Licence Area.
Of the total, 65 open-hole hammer holes accounted for 4,153 metres, complemented by 10 diamond drill holes for 646 metres. Drilling confirmed thick, near-surface uranium mineralisation across a zone measuring approximately 1,000 metres long, 600 metres wide and up to 20 metres thick.
The mineralisation style closely mirrors that seen at the main Muntanga deposit, with secondary uranium — primarily meta-autunite — hosted within the Escarpment Grit Formation and localised along fractures and within clay-rich sandstone.
Muntanga East was identified by Atomic Eagle as a target capable of being rapidly converted into a Mineral Resource with relatively limited drilling. Historical programs conducted between 2008 and 2013 returned anomalous uranium results but left much of the mineralisation open along strike and at depth. An earlier exploration target of 4.6 million to 11.0 million pounds of U₃O₈ had been estimated for the area.
Resource estimate on track for later this quarter
Chief executive Phil Hoskins said the results had quickly validated the company’s exploration thesis.
“We’re delighted with the results from Muntanga East, where a modest drill program has quickly outlined shallow, flat-lying mineralisation in close proximity to the core resources underpinning the company’s previous technical studies for the project,” Hoskins said.
“These results further reinforce our refreshed exploration strategy targeting bulk, open-pittable mineralisation and build on our recent exploration success at the Chisebuka target.”
The diamond drilling component was designed to validate downhole gamma results and provide material for metallurgical test work. Selected samples have been sent to ALS Global for assay, with metallurgical samples dispatched to Mintek in Johannesburg.
Once assays are received, Atomic Eagle plans to deliver a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate for Muntanga East later this quarter.
Photo of mineralisation on fracture surfaces in oxidised sandstone (Hole MED2135).
Broader growth plans at Muntanga
Beyond Muntanga East, the company is refining plans for a comprehensive exploration drill program across the wider Muntanga Project area in 2026. The program is expected to be the largest undertaken at the project in 17 years and is aimed squarely at expanding the current uranium resource inventory.
The district-scale Muntanga Uranium Project spans multiple mining and exploration licences along a 146-kilometre strike length and already hosts a substantial JORC-compliant resource, alongside a large exploration target.
With established infrastructure, sealed road access and proximity to regional transport hubs, Atomic Eagle believes the latest results at Muntanga East represent an important step toward unlocking additional near-surface uranium ounces and underpinning longer-term development pathways at the project.
Source: Atomic Eagle Ltd.