Pensana Launches 7 000 m Infill Drill Programme at Longonjo Rare Earths Project in Angola
London-listed Pensana has commenced preparations for a 7 000 m infill drilling programme at its Longonjo rare earths project in Angola, marking another step toward mine development.
The drilling programme is designed to deliver detailed geological and grade control data ahead of the planned start of mining and stockpiling or blending activities in early 2027.
It will run in parallel with the resource expansion drilling programme announced by the company last year.
Two reverse circulation (RC) drill rigs are scheduled for mobilisation ahead of drilling activities, which are expected to take place during the region’s dry season from May to October.
The programme targets completion of a 10 m by 10 m drill grid across the weathered run-of-mine material within the initial pit production zones.
The Longonjo deposit comprises a near-surface blanket of high-grade neodymium- and praseodymium-rich total rare earth oxides (TREO), with an average depth of approximately 30 m.
Pensana noted that previous drilling has confirmed mineralisation extending to depths of more than 100 m below the current resource, highlighting significant potential to expand the project’s resource base through additional drilling.
During the campaign, samples will also be collected at depth to improve understanding of the vertical extent of mineralisation and to support assessment of a potential increase in inferred resources. The company aims to grow the existing 313-million-tonne resource at 1.43% TREO toward one-billion tonnes at a similar grade.
If achieved, this would position Longonjo as one of the largest rare earth deposits currently under development globally, Pensana said.
To support the drilling campaign, a containerised laboratory is being procured for delivery to site alongside drill rig mobilisation.
The facility will include sample preparation equipment and an automated X-ray fluorescence analyser, enabling timely and cost-effective multi-element analysis on site.
Pensana added that grade control drilling will continue for most of the Longonjo life-of-mine, remaining approximately one year ahead of mine planning.
The results will further support the current mine and stockpile blending strategy, developed in collaboration with Practara, ahead of commissioning and will enhance the project’s existing geological dataset.
