Atomic Eagle Ltd (ASX:AEU) has completed its maiden drill program at the high-priority Chisebuka target within its Muntanga Uranium Project in Zambia, with final results continuing to confirm broad, near-surface uranium mineralisation suited to bulk open-pit development.
The 69-hole program — the first drilling at Chisebuka in 15 years — has consistently returned thick intersections at shallow depths, reinforcing the company’s geological model and providing a platform for further resource growth across the broader Muntanga licence area.
Location of Chisebuka target within Muntanga Project Licence Area
Shallow, broad uranium mineralisation confirmed
Results from the final 23 drill holes delivered multiple shallow and laterally extensive uranium intercepts, including:
- 20.2m at 454ppm eU₃O₈ from 7.0m (CHDTH2182)
- 40.1m at 371ppm eU₃O₈ from 29.8m (CHDTH2185)
- 13.5m at 305ppm eU₃O₈ from 21.3m (CHDTH2179)
- 32.1m at 343ppm eU₃O₈ from 34.6m (CHDTH2187)
Chisebuka Target: Map showing significant intercepts from recent drilling plotted over ‘Grade x Thickness’ contours
These results build on previously reported drilling that defined an 800-by-600-metre zone of mineralisation drilled down to 100-by-100-metre spacing, including standout intersections such as 16.4 metres at 1,036ppm eU₃O₈ from 13.5 metres and 29.4 metres at 439ppm eU₃O₈ from 32.2 metres.
Atomic Eagle said all significant mineralisation intersected to date occurs less than 85 metres from surface, aligning with its focus on shallow, open-pittable uranium systems.
Infill drilling of northern area of Chisebuka target
Chisebuka emerges as first growth engine
Chisebuka is the first of six priority exploration targets identified across the wider Muntanga Uranium Project, which spans four mining licences and two exploration licences in southern Zambia.
While Chisebuka does not yet have a defined mineral resource, it carries an exploration target of 8.3 million–13.2 million pounds of U₃O₈. The prospect is defined by a strong radiometric anomaly extending for approximately 4 kilometres along strike and up to 1 kilometre wide.
Previous drilling between 2007 and 2010, completed on a wider-spaced grid, indicated continuity of mineralised lenses from surface to depths of around 110 metres. Atomic Eagle’s recent infill program has confirmed and expanded on that interpretation, particularly in the northern part of the target area.
Chief executive Phil Hoskins said the results reinforced confidence in the broader exploration upside at Muntanga.
“This is the first drill program at Chisebuka in 15 years, and results continue to deliver thick uranium intersections all less than 85 metres from surface, aligning with the company’s strategy of targeting bulk open-pittable mineralisation,” Hoskins said.
“Importantly, Chisebuka is only the first of six exploration targets recently outlined within the broader Muntanga Uranium Project area, giving the company confidence it can materially increase the project’s resources with further drilling.”
Next steps and 2026 drilling plans
The completed program totalled 7,235 metres of drilling, designed primarily as infill work on a nominal 200-by-100-metre pattern, with selected areas closed up to 100-by-100-metre spacing.
Mineralisation at Chisebuka consists of stacked lenses following sandstone bedding planes and dipping gently to the southeast. All holes were drilled vertically to intersect true thickness, with mineralisation extending from surface to depths of up to 150 metres in places.
Atomic Eagle plans to return to Chisebuka in 2026 to further tighten drill spacing across the target area, a step expected to support a maiden mineral resource estimate. It is also preparing a broader exploration program across the wider Muntanga project, which it expects to be the largest undertaken there in more than 15 years.
The company is well funded for the planned work, holding about $20 million in cash to advance exploration across Muntanga throughout 2026.