New Mineralized Zone Discovered During Infill Resource Drilling ON Flagship Lofdal Heavy Rare Earth Project IN Namibia
Press Release
NEW MINERALIZED ZONE DISCOVERED DURING INFILL
RESOURCE DRILLING ON FLAGSHIP LOFDAL HEAVY RARE
EARTH PROJECT IN NAMIBIA
Halifax, Nova Scotia September 8, 2023 – Namibia Critical Metals Inc. (“Namibia Critical
Metals” or the “Company” or “NCMI”) (TSXV: NMI OTCQB: NMREF) is pleased to anno unce
the completion of the RC drilling campaign for its PFS study on the large -scale “Lofdal 2B-4”
heavy rare earth project.
The infill drilling campaign entailed 49 reverse circulation (RC) boreholes for a total of 8,226
m in the Area 4 main deposit and the Area 2B satellite deposit. Assays were received from
Actlabs, Canada. Highlights are:
• Width and grade of the mineralised zones were confirmed by infill drilling.
• Combined mineralized intervals can reach more than 100 m length in total in some
boreholes based on a combined cut-off of 0.1% TREO 1 over wider intercepts as
previously used in the PEA “Lofdal 2B-4”. This averaging over wider mineralised zones
reflects assumed consecutive blocks in a potentially large-scale open -pit operation
benefiting from economy of scale.
• A larger, previously unknown mineralized zone was intercepted in the western
periphery of the pit shell (produced in the PEA “Lofdal 2B-4” for Area 4) demonstrating
upside for additional mineralization towards the west and depth.
• Test work at SGS Lakefield continues with the pilot-scale flotation test on a 5 ton bulk
sample and an extended variability testing program followed by hydrometallurgical
tests.
Darrin Campbell, President of Namibia Critical Metals stated:
“The highly cost -efficient RC infill drill program delivered the expected positive results and
the newly established thick zone of heavy rare earth mineralization in the western part of
Area 4 highlights again the enormous potential for upside for the district-level Lofdal deposit.
With several test programs at SGS at advanced stages and with positive interim outcome, we
are optimistic to deliver a highly competitive PFS for “Lofdal 2B-4” by mid next year.”
1 TREO” refers to total rare earth oxides plus yttrium oxide; “HREO” refers to heavy rare earth oxides plus yttrium oxide; “hea vy
rare earths” as used in all Company presentations comprise europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), terbium (Tb), dysprosium (Dy),
holmium (Ho), erbium (Er), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), lutetium (Lu) and yttrium (Y). Light rare earths comprise lanthanum
(La), cerium (Ce), praseodymium (Pr), neodymium (Nd) and samarium (Sm).
RC drilling program 2023
A final drill program was worked out by the Company with support by The MSA Group to
increase the level of resource categories as required for the PFS for the expanded project
“Lofdal 2B-4”. Resource drilling commenced at the end of January 2023 and was co mpleted
by June 2023.
The drilling campaign was significantly expanded from a planned total of 5,240 m. With the
excellent drill performance of Prinsloo Drilling in deeper RC holes , it was decided to drill all
planned diamond core (DC) boreholes up to 350 m length by the more cost-efficient reverse
circulation (RC) method. Eventually, a total of 8,226 m was completed in this RC drilling
campaign.
Figure 1: Overview of drill collars at the Lofdal 2B -4 Project. Blue triangles indicate the drill collars of
the PFS RC infill drilling campaign.
37 RC drill holes for a total of 6,446 m were drilled at Area 4 (see Figure 2). In general,
mineralised zones were confirmed in its expected ranges of width and grade (Figure 3 and
Table 2). The drill results confirm the geological model of structural zones acting as fluid
channels and controlling intensity, pinching and swelling as well as splaying of the wide
mineralized zones.
Several intercepts in boreholes drilled in the periphery of the planned pit shell for Area 4 open
pit, show wide mineralized zones which might form significant additional resources in the
planned update of the Mineral Resource Estimate. An example for a mineralized zone currently
not included in the pit shell is depicted in the section through the western periphery of planned
Area 4 open pit ( Figure 4) with borehole L4D0207 returning 9 mineralized intervals using a
Area 4
Area 2B
3
cut-off of 0.1% TREO2, including 14 m at 0.17% TREO from 295 m and 21 m at 0.11% TREO
from 262 m (see Table 3).
Further, sampling was extended to the hanging wall of the “main mineralized zone”. Assays
show wide zones of up to 100 m of additional low to moderate grade HREO mineralization
which will undergo an assessment for upgrade and beneficiation by sorting technologies, and
thus might potentially further increase mine life or throughput of the future Lofdal mine.
Mineralized intercepts are summarized in Table 2. The intercepts were generally selected
based on an assumed cut-off of 0.1% TREO as previously used in the PEA “Lofdal 2B-4” (see
press release on 14 Nov 2022). However, the intercepts partly include a significant amount
of samples with <0.1% TREO in order to reflect the width of the mineralized zone potentially
forming consecutive ore blocks in a large-scale open pit operation. By including lower grade
mineralization, the combined mineralized intervals may reach more than 100 m length in total
like in borehole L4R0208 with 63 m length from 275 m and 53 m length from 173 m, and
borehole L4R0210 with 51 m length from 285 m, 27 m length from 252 m and 29 m from
213 m (for details see Table 3). The longest consecutive mineralized interval is 105 m length
from 123 m in borehole L4R0199.
2 “TREO” refers to total rare earth oxides plus yttrium oxide; “HREO” refers to heavy rare earth oxides plus yttrium oxide; “hea vy
rare earths” as used in all Company presentations comprise europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), terbium (Tb), dysprosium (Dy),
holmium (Ho), erbium (Er), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb), lutetium (Lu) and yttrium (Y). Light rare earths comprise lanthanum
(La), cerium (Ce), praseodymium (Pr), neodymium (Nd) and samarium (S m).
Figure 2: Geological map of Area 4 indicating all historical and the 2023 RC infill drill collars
Figure 3: Section through the eastern part of Area 4 (location see on Figure 2) indicating
the mineralised intervals by display of TREO grades (grey bars) and Dy2O3 (color bands)
Figure 4: Section through the western part of Area 4 (location see on Figure 2) indicating
the mineralised intervals by display of TREO grades (grey bars) and Dy2O3 (color bands)
5
In Area 2B, 12 RC holes were drilled for a total of 1,780 m . Drilling was expanded by 4
boreholes to cover the mineralized zone extending to the east of the currently planned pit
shell, see Figure 5.
Infill drilling at Area 2B is completed for the update and increase of resource categories of the
Mineral Resource Estimate as suggested by The MSA Group for the PFS/DFS level for Lofdal’s
planned satellite open pit “Pit 2B” while Area 4 requires a further 6,000 m of DC drilling in 16
boreholes for the deeper portion of this sub-deposit.
Figure 5: Geological map of Area 4 indicating all historical and the 2023 RC infill drill collars.
Sampling, analysis and QAQC
4495 samples of average 1.8 kg per sample were collected at the drill rig’s cyclone (“A -
sample”) and submitted to Actlabs preparatory l aboratory in Windhoek, Namibia, in batches
of 200 to 300 samples.
The samples were dried and crushed to 2 mm, split using a riffle splitter and pulverised to
105 µm. Pulverised sub -samples were homogenised in a stainless -steel riffle splitter and a
15 g sample and duplicate were drawn for analysis. The pulverised sample aliquots were
shipped to the ISO/IEC 17025 accredited Actlabs analytical facility in Ancaster, Ontario,
Canada. The samples were assayed using lithium metaborate -tetraborate fusion and
Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP -MS). Actlab’s analytical code “8 -REE”
includes 45 trace elements, 10 major oxides, Loss on Ignition, and mass balance.
The samples were subjected to a quality assurance and quality control (QAQC) program
consisting of the insertion of blank samples and certified reference materials at Lofdal and the
preparation of a laboratory duplicate at the sample preparation facility in Windhoek . The
primary laboratory assay values were confirmed by umpire sample analysis by ALS . A
selection of 263 samples (every 20th sample of the original sample set ), was sent to ALS
Okahandja, Namibia for further shipment to ALS Johannesburg, South Africa. Samples were
analysed using analytical code ME-MS81h (lithium meta-borate fusion and ICP-MS).
The Qualified Person is satisfied that the assay results are of sufficient accuracy and precision
for use in the future update of the Mineral Resource Estimation.
Table 1: Intervals of QAQC samples inserted into the laboratory batch of samples. This includes
Certified Reference Materials (CRM), blanks, and duplicates.
Progress on test work program
SGS Canada started the pilot-plant testing with the preparation of the 5-tonne bulk sample
for the pilot-scale flotation test planned for October -November 2023. The objective of the
current program is to scale up tests, locked -cycle testing for a higher level of confidence in
metallurgy, and confirmation of engineering design criteria for PFS capital and operating cost
estimation.
The locked cycle tests were completed and confirm a steady circuit. No significant detrimental
effect was observed due to the recirculation.
Variability tests on 9 samples from the peripheries of planned Area 2B and Area 4 pits were
completed. With the low -grade nature and varying mineralogy of the first set of variability
samples taken from RC boreholes in the periphery of Area 4 and at TREO grades near cut-off,
it was decided to extend the variability test program by a further 9 samples.
To further simplify the flowsheet and improve recoveries, future testing will abandon magnetic
separation (WHIMS) and focus on iron removal with optimal temperatures during acid bake.
QAQC samples QAQC interval Insertion intervals in every 100 samples
Standards Lofdal 4, 6, and Amis 185 Every 20th 10, 30, 50, 90
Blank Every 20th 00, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100
Lab Duplicate Every 20th 15, 35, 55, 75, 95
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Table 2: Summary of mineralized drill intervals of the 2023 RC infill drilling program at Lofdal Area 2B
Hole ID X Y Z
Hole
Inclination (°)
Hole Azimuth
(°TN)
From
(m) To (m) Length (m) HREO ppm TREO pct
Dy2O3
ppm
L2BR0059 467395 7754564 953 -60 314 22 25 3 706 0,18 77
and 89 91 2 443 0,17 49
and 106 111 5 651 0,12 74
and 125 131 6 1989 0,49 240
including 126 128 2 4624 1,07 561
L2BR0060 467471 7754629 956 -60 315 66 70 4 930 0,30 103
and 86 90 4 466 0,12 44
and 95 99 4 365 0,12 38
and 105 109 4 380 0,22 47
L2BR0061 467409 7754701 953 -60 315 5 10 5 1062 0,64 120
and 30 35 5 832 0,16 77
and 121 130 9 1898 0,26 174
including 127 130 3 4625 0,59 423
L2BR0062 467535 7754874 947 -60 315 65 114 49 4738 0,53 72
and 125 127 2 958 0,33 86
L2BR0063 467510 7754658 955 -63 315 48 54 6 801 0,14 78
and 78 81 3 615 0,18 64
and 98 100 2 571 0,14 60
L2BR0064 467545 7754693 954 -63 315 6 8 2 1158 0,20 139
and 27 29 2 1158 0,20 103
and 58 64 6 372 0,15 35
and 77 79 2 624 0,26 65
and 126 130 4 473 0,29 46
L2BR0065 467474 7754952 950 -63 315 7 10 3 655 0,16 61
and 16 28 12 1001 0,19 90
L2BR0066 467599 7754797 948 -60 315 82 86 4 609 0,41 57
and 150 158 8 1311 0,16 122
and 171 173 2 1872 0,20 175
and 182 195 13 881 0,15 84
and 224 230 6 1270 0,14 121
L2BR0067 467551 7755017 945 -60 315 72 75 3 1060 0,13 102
and 106 108 2 1183 0,22 113
and 111 113 2 904 0,15 80
L2BR0068 467614 7754941 943 -60 315 7 11 4 521 0,33 47
and 115 116 1 3121 0,32 236
and 153 155 2 1798 0,19 147
and 171 181 10 1268 0,13 111
L2BR0069 467676 7754864 945 -60 315 185 187 2 761 0,12 78
L2BR0070 467515 7755065 945 -60 315 40 44 4 909 0,14 104
and 64 65 1 2921 0,35 341
Table 3: Summary of mineralized drill intervals of the 2023 RC infill drilling program at Lofdal Area 4
Hole ID X Y Z
Hole
Inclination (°)
Hole Azimuth
(°TN)
From
(m) To (m) Length (m) HREO ppm TREO pct
Dy2O3
ppm
L4R0175 470740 7753698 956 -60 345 17 25 8 622 0,11 68
and 32 33 1 2563 0,59 316
and 44 50 6 1209 0,18 108
including 44 46 2 1590 0,25 171
L4R0176 470812 7753586 950 -70 345 68 73 5 433 0,14 43
and 88 97 9 704 0,26 70
L4R0177 470835 7753514 953 -70 345 150 154 4 850 0,12 95
and 173 175 2 1394 0,17 145
and 190 222 32 393 0,15 40
L4R0178 470765 7753389 956 -70 345 103 112 9 645 0,27 65
and 196 242 46 507 0,12 49
including 222 226 4 1318 0,21 127
L4R0179 470403 7753184 961 -70 345 91 93 2 1173 0,57 135
and 236 249 13 772 0,20 75
L4R0180 469751 7753317 989 -65 345 25 33 8 701 0,23 71
and 106 110 4 995 0,18 114
L4R0181 469872 7753247 983 -70 345 68 76 8 520 0,15 50
and 138 190 52 817 0,14 89
including 174 186 12 1324 0,23 149
L4R0182 470914 7753648 950 -70 345 48 51 3 1269 0,21 117
L4R0183 470972 7753606 951 -70 345 108 122 14 1307 0,19 113
including 117 120 3 2236 0,35 201
L4R0183 470972 7753606 951 -70 345 131 133 2 211 0,32 21
and 138 148 10 407 0,20 46
including 145 147 2 1011 0,51 116
L4R0184 470941 7753699 950 -70 345 15 32 17 529 0,10 48
L4R0185 470995 7753685 952 -70 345 52 68 16 448 0,10 44
L4R0186 470984 7753737 952 -70 345 15 17 2 1360 0,20 143
and 22 27 5 692 0,10 67
L4R0187 471052 7753715 954 -70 345 43 54 11 387 0,19 43
L4R0188 471047 7753766 957 -70 345 4 8 4 233 0,14 25
L4R0189 471081 7753741 956 -70 345 56 57 1 4433 0,45 362
and 62 63 1 2593 0,30 296
L4R0190 471079 7753789 958 -70 345 29 36 7 516 0,09 53
L4R0191 471129 7753754 958 -70 345 20 22 2 529 0,16 57
L4R0192 471117 7753802 959 -70 345 34 37 3 286 0,10 27
L4R0193 471179 7753768 960 -70 345 11 23 12 468 0,13 50
and 33 36 3 735 0,12 75
and 41 44 3 507 0,13 45
and 48 58 10 414 0,13 39
L4R0195 470928 7753539 950 -70 345 67 72 5 1256 0,16 140
and 178 190 12 369 0,15 39
L4R0196 470740 7753486 954 -70 345 122 154 32 781 0,13 82
including 132 147 15 1154 0,19 120
L4R0196 470740 7753486 954 -70 345 160 164 4 395 0,14 40
and 184 200 16 478 0,18 48
and 212 230 18 998 0,15 89
including 227 228 1 8547 0,90 667
L4R0197 470378 7753283 959 -70 345 12 33 21 250 0,14 26
and 52 56 4 630 0,15 66
and 145 228 83 519 0,12 51
including 159 165 6 2057 0,26 220
L4R0198 470282 7753251 959 -70 345 146 226 80 687 0,12 67
including 197 202 5 4219 0,50 484
including 199 200 1 9739 1,07 1148
L4R0199 470185 7753230 964 -70 345 91 96 5 462 0,11 44
and 123 228 105 453 0,11 48
including 180 182 2 2297 0,30 270