Chilwa’s REE Exploration Faces Crucial Test as Drilling Moves to Mpyupyu

Exploration Milestone Achieved

Chilwa Minerals Limited (ASX – CHW) has announced the completion of an extensive soil sampling program across 47 rare earth element (REE) and niobium anomalies within its 866 square kilometre license area in southern Malawi. This latest phase of exploration builds on previous sampling campaigns conducted earlier in 2025, collectively analyzing over 485 soil samples to delineate geochemical signatures associated with potential carbonatite-hosted mineralisation.

The soil geochemistry results have confirmed the presence of pathfinder elements across all targets, including key rare earth oxides such as cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, and terbium. These elements are typically associated with alkaline intrusive systems and carbonatites, which are known hosts for economically significant REE deposits globally.

Ranking Targets to Guide Drilling

By integrating multi-element geochemical data with airborne radiometric and magnetic geophysical surveys, Chilwa has developed a priority ranking system for the 47 anomalies. This ranking assesses the affinity for light and heavy rare earth elements, associated metals, and alteration signatures indicative of carbonatite mineralisation. The approach enables the company to strategically focus its diamond drilling efforts on the most prospective zones.

Following the relocation of drilling operations from the initial Mposa target, Chilwa is currently advancing diamond drilling at anomalies in the Mpyupyu area. The first drill core results from this program are expected imminently, which will provide critical insights into the mineralogy and depth extent of the REE mineralisation.

Dual Strategy for Critical Minerals

Chilwa’s exploration strategy is twofold, targeting both Heavy Mineral Sands (HMS) and rare earth elements with niobium. The company has dedicated teams working in parallel to advance these complementary mineral systems within the Chilwa Critical Minerals Project. The recent soil sampling results reinforce the potential for a significant carbonatite system hosting both heavy and light rare earth elements, as well as niobium, which is critical for emerging clean energy and advanced manufacturing technologies.

Managing Director Cadell Buss highlighted the significance of the findings, noting that the confirmation of pathfinder elements and monazite stream sediment anomalies across all targets substantially increases confidence in the project’s prospectivity. The extensive license area, combined with the robust geochemical and geophysical dataset, positions Chilwa well for a maiden discovery of carbonatite-hosted REE mineralisation.

Next Steps and Market Implications

Chilwa plans to continue diamond drilling across prioritized anomalies, with a focus on zones exhibiting elevated heavy rare earth element responses, including terbium. The company aims to refine its geological model through detailed mineralogical fingerprinting and multi-element analysis of drill core samples. Results from the ongoing drilling campaign at Mpyupyu are anticipated within weeks and will be closely watched by the market.

Given the global strategic importance of rare earth elements and niobium, Chilwa’s progress in Malawi adds a promising new frontier to the critical minerals supply chain. The company’s methodical approach to exploration and target validation underscores its commitment to advancing the Chilwa Critical Minerals Project towards resource definition and potential development.