Chilwa Minerals Confirms Rare Earth Carbonatite Swarm at Lake Chilwa

Exploration Progress at Lake Chilwa

Chilwa Minerals Limited (ASX: CHW) has announced compelling new results from its ongoing exploration at the Lake Chilwa Critical Minerals Project in southern Malawi. Building on an initial soil sampling campaign earlier this year, the company has now completed surface soil geochemistry and rock-chip analysis on 30 of 47 geophysical targets identified through detailed aeromagnetic and radiometric surveys conducted in 2024.

The expanded dataset reveals a swarm of carbonatite intrusions hosting significant rare earth element (REE) mineralisation, including both light and heavy REEs. Notably, the soil geochemistry highlights strong multi-element anomalies with key pathfinder elements such as niobium, barium, neodymium, samarium, strontium, zirconium, and yttrium. These elements are commonly associated with carbonatite-related mineral systems, reinforcing the geological model underpinning the project.

Heavy Rare Earths and Drilling Insights

Heavy rare earth elements (HREEs), which are critical for advanced technologies and considered economically strategic, have been detected in elevated concentrations in soil samples, particularly at the Mposa anomaly. This target is currently the focus of a diamond drilling program, with core samples showing pervasive carbonate veining within nepheline syenite lithologies. Such veining is a hallmark of carbonatite mineralisation, lending further confidence to the prospectivity of the area.

While assay results from the drilling are pending and expected within the next 4 to 6 weeks, the visual observations of drill core and rock chips provide encouraging early indications. Chilwa’s Managing Director, Cadell Buss, emphasised the significance of these findings, noting that the results complement academic research and support the company’s belief in a substantial carbonatite system across the licence area.

Strategic Dual Focus and Next Steps

Chilwa Minerals is pursuing a dual exploration strategy at Lake Chilwa, targeting both rare earth elements and mineral sands. Dedicated teams are advancing these parallel efforts, with the rare earth program prioritising targets exhibiting elevated HREE soil geochemical responses for follow-up drilling. The company also plans to complete soil sampling on remaining anomalies, conduct detailed geochemical mapping to fingerprint element associations, and continue diamond drilling to delineate mineralisation.

Importantly, Chilwa has established an on-site preparation laboratory at Zalewa, Malawi, which is expected to improve turnaround times for assay results. This infrastructure investment underscores the company’s commitment to efficient and thorough exploration.

Context Within Regional Rare Earths Landscape

The Lake Chilwa project lies within a region known for carbonatite-hosted rare earth deposits, including the nearby Kangankunde and Songwe carbonatites, which are noted for their atypically high heavy rare earth content. Chilwa’s findings contribute to a growing body of evidence that southern Malawi hosts significant critical mineral potential, positioning the company well within a competitive and strategically important sector.