Diamond drilling (aka core drilling) done by Altona in 2021 allowed to recover undisturbed geological samples in areas of known mineralization, and to gain a much better understanding on REE mineralization controls and distribution at Monte Muambe.

Reverse Circulation drilling carried out during Phase 1 totalled 2,541 m (38 holes) and led to the confirmation of 2 known REE occurrences and the discovery of two new ones.

Washed Reverse Circulation cuttings are stored in chip trays to allow geological logging and are stored on site for future reference.

For Altona, knowledge transfer and training are key to successful operations in Mozambique. Two interns from University Eduardo Mondlane are currently being trained on surface prospecting methods.

Real time data acquisition allows to ensure quick decisions on the ground, ultimately reducing costs and timelines to deliverables. Here gamma spectrometers readings are systematically taken on RC cuttings.

Altona has set-up a solid QAQC system to ensure ultimate data usability for JORC compliant Resource Estimates, including Standard Operating Procedures, training sessions for project staff, and adequate tools. In this picture a 3 tier riffle splitter is used to obtain 3kg representative samples of RC cuttings from each 1m drilling interval, which will assayed by pXRF on site, and later sent to the laboratory.

Local employment is important, with a large number of Altona’s local staff coming from the communities immediately neighbouring Monte Muambe.

For Phase 2, Altona selected a track mounted RC rig, more suitable to difficult accesses on hill sides, such as this drilling pad on Target 1.

Resource Drilling started on 12 July 2022 with hole MM076 (Target 9). The objective is to produce a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate by Q1 2023.

Altona’s portable XRF is designed to enable assaying several REE and associated elements. With a solid QAQC system in place, it has proven to be an invaluable tool to provide reliable real-time preliminary results on soil and drilling samples.

Sunset at the site