Eastinco Mining and Exploration plc has announced a progress update on exploration works at its joint venture project in southern Rwanda. The geochemical soil sampling programme at the HCK JV license has covered 50% of the license and 11 new pegmatite zones have been identified during field traversing, of which two possibly indicate strike extensions to the existing, known pegmatite zones.

Phase-1 geochemical soil sampling programme in progress over the 2750 hectare HCK JV licence, with approximately 50% of the licence covered to date

11 new pegmatite zones identified during field traversing, of which two possibly indicate strike extensions of known Tantalum-Niobium mineralised zones

Two known zones of extensive, multiple rare-metal hosting pegmatite identified in earlier reconnaissance visits to the HCK licence

Licence is adjacent to other southern JV, where four known pegmatite zones have been identified for follow-up prospecting and evaluation

Geological fieldwork commenced in December 2021 with the Phase-1 geochemical soil sampling programme. This work is ongoing, with approximately 50% of the licence area covered by the sampling team, with completion expected in February 2022. All samples will be shipped to an independent commercial laboratory for multi-element analysis.

Of significant interest is the discovery of multiple new pegmatite zones identified whilst traversing the licence. Pegmatite is the typical host rock for the Tantalum-Niobium mineralisation in Rwanda. Nine new pegmatite target zones, which potentially host rare metals, have been identified to date. Two additional occurrences have been uncovered that may indicate the possible strike extensions to the known mineralised occurrences on the licence. At HCK-1, the new pegmatite occurrence potentially extends the strike of this occurrence from 650 – 1200 m towards the southeast, however additional work is required to fully verify this. At all locations, the extent or size of the pegmatite is unclear to the lack of outcrop and recent surface cover.

Upon completion of the soil sampling programme, the company will follow up and explore the potential strike and width dimensions of the newly discovered pegmatites, through a process of manually excavated shallow pits or hand auguring. When the soil sample analytical results have been received and interpreted, a second phase of sampling may be undertaken to define and resolve any identified in-soil geochemical anomalies.

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