Tundulu Rare Earths Project, Malawi | ASX: AKN | September 2026

Carbonatite Keeps Going: Tundulu’s Second Diamond Hole Ends in Mineralised Geology at 400m

Two diamond holes drilled well past their planned depths, an assay pipeline of thousands of samples in motion, and a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate targeted before the end of the year.

Two diamond holes at Tundulu were planned to 300m. One finished at 510.6m. The other finished at 400.42m. Both ended in carbonatite. That is the short version of where the Tundulu Rare Earths Project stands as the diamond drilling phase gathers pace in southern Malawi.

The headline numbers

  • 400.42m: final depth of the second Tundulu diamond hole, 26NH023, extended from a planned 300m as carbonatite intersections continued to be logged. Carbonatite geology ran through to end of hole.
  • 510.6m: final depth of the first diamond hole, 26NH032, also planned to 300m. Carbonatite lithology remains open at that depth.
  • 4,300m across 31 holes: the completed reverse circulation (RC) phase, now fully logged, confirming widespread carbonatite lithologies across the drilling area.
  • 4,133 samples: covered by eight Malawi export approvals secured to date from the RC phase.
  • 1,847 samples: in the laboratory queue, comprising 1,270 samples across the first two batches with results expected imminently, plus a third batch of 577 samples received at Intertek’s Perth laboratory.

Why drilling past the plan matters

A hole is extended when the geology justifies the extra metres. Both Tundulu diamond holes were designed as 150m diamond tails beneath existing RC holes, for a total depth of 300m. In each case, logging identified carbonatite continuing beyond the planned end point, and in each case the decision was to keep drilling.

The result is two holes that finished in carbonatite rather than out of it. End-of-hole logging on 26NH032 indicates the lithology remains open at 510.6m. Carbonatite geology in 26NH023 continued through to 400.42m. Neither hole has closed off the system at depth.

A district-scale system, and a deeper one

Carbonatite has been intersected not only around the primary Nathace Hill target but also at targets several hundred metres away. That lateral spread supports the interpretation of a district-scale carbonatite intrusive complex at Tundulu.

The depth extensions add a second dimension to that picture. Carbonatite geology continuing to 400m and beyond indicates the complex may be significantly larger than previously interpreted, across both footprint and depth. Nathace Hill, Kamilala Hill, Tundulu Hill, Namuka Hill, Makhanga Hill and Chigwakwalu Hill sit within the same ring complex, and several of those interpreted carbonatite targets remain untested.

Both completed holes have been concluded and drilling has moved to other areas of Nathace Hill, with further deep diamond holes planned. Hole 26NH024 is currently in progress.

The assay pipeline is filling

Geology is one half of the dataset. Grade is the other, and the sample pipeline behind it is now substantial.

Eight Malawi export approvals cover 4,133 RC samples, with the eighth approval covering the final three RC drill holes and comprising 357 samples. Further export approvals will be sought over the next two weeks for samples from the ongoing diamond drilling program.

Results for the first two batches, totalling 1,270 samples, are yet to be received, with completion being expedited and results expected imminently. The third batch of 577 samples is at Intertek’s Perth laboratory for processing. A substantial flow of assay results and associated geological information is expected over the coming weeks and months.

Drillhole details

Hole Type East North RL Total depth (m) Azimuth Dip
26NH032 RC + DDH 801423.4 8280349 679.3 510.6 225 -55
26NH023 RC + DDH 801386.0 8280303 701.0 400.42 220 -55
26NH024 DDH 801295 8279909 742.7 * 355 -55

Notes: “+ DDH” indicates a diamond drilling tail at the base of the RC-drilled hole. * denotes an incomplete drill hole, currently being drilled. Grid system is WGS 84 UTM Zone 36 South.

What comes next

  • Complete the remaining deep diamond holes planned around Nathace Hill.
  • Secure export approvals for diamond core samples and progress core cutting and submission for assay.
  • Report RC assay results as they are returned by the laboratory.
  • Deliver a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate for Tundulu before the end of 2026.

Competent Persons’ Statement: the information in this article relating to the initial observed results from drilling at the Tundulu Rare Earths Project is based on information reviewed by Mr Ian Hodkinson, a member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Mr Hodkinson is a consultant to AuKing Mining Limited and has sufficient experience relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration, and to the activity being undertaken, to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the “Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves”. Mr Hodkinson consents to the inclusion of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which they appear.

Sourced from AuKing Mining Limited ASX announcements dated 31 August 2026 and 1 September 2026. This article is general information only and is not investment advice.