Evolution Energy Minerals (ASX: EV1) has put its soil sampling program at the EV1 Minerals Chikundo project in southeast Tanzania to the next level, where systematic fieldwork is being done within the larger Chilalo tenement.
The Company stated that as of 2 December, a total of 603 samples had been taken, which is a steady increase in activity since the program started on 24 November 2025. The operation comprises three field teams working in the dry season, which allows for quick and uninterrupted access and sampling.
EV1 advances soil sampling across the wider Chikundo project area.
What Is Driving The Latest Progress At Chikundo?
The latest EV1 Minerals soil sampling report illustrates the perfect late-November conditions for unchanging B-horizon exposure. Access to the ground has become easier thanks to the drying out of the veldt and the burning of bushland, and the heavy summer rains are not yet falling.
The average temperature during the day is about 33°C, which helps in the movement across the grid. The Company has mentioned that the field leaders have gained a lot of experience from past nickel and graphite programs in the area; hence, operational accuracy and sampling reliability are much stronger.
Why Are The Chikundo Target Zones Gaining Priority?
The sampling program is in progress at three main targets: Chikundo, Chikundo East and Nangurugia. These areas have been discovered through the combination of previous geochemistry, structural interpretation and visual signs of malachite and chalcopyrite in artisanal activities.
The main anomaly is located close to the Malachite Pit and is associated with an eastern extension of a larger structural trend. The Nangurugia target, which is further east, has geochemical signatures that are compatible with the regional VMS potential and elevated geochemical signatures. The Company intends to gather 1,558 samples from the entire region and is currently collecting about 75 samples per day on average.
Map Showing Chikundo, East and Nangurugia Soil Sampling Zones
Sampling Methodology Supports Data Integrity
Field teams aim for the B-horizon at about 400 mm down and carry out very stringent protocols in order to maintain the best quality of samples.
Contamination is prevented by removing the A-horizon and simultaneously cleaning the tools used between different sites. The samples are all kept in calico bags, which are further sealed with plastic before being marked with GPS coordinates at each site.
There is a 1:20 insertion rate for QA/QC to include not only duplicates, blanks, but also standards. All these measures are taken to support ASX-compliant reporting and to make sure that the results are of a standard that permits their use as inputs in EV1 Minerals’ copper exploration modelling.
Field team conducting active soil sampling across the project grid.
What Comes Next For EV1 Minerals Copper Exploration?
Future actions refer to the completion of systematic sampling over the whole grid pattern and the sending of the samples to SGS in South Africa for the four-acid digest ICP-MS assay.
The data collected will be added to the VMS geochemical model that is being developed and is supportive of future exploration design. The preparations for the 2026 RC drilling campaign have already started, and it will focus on the anomalies revealed by the soil survey that were identified as the most important.
The Company has also reiterated its compliance with Tanzania’s Mining Regulations and has indicated that its Mining Licence is not affected by the recent cancellation of licences.
Future work covers full grid sampling and SGS assay submission.
EV1 Minerals Strengthens Tanzanian Partnerships
The Tanzanian Government has a 16% free-carried interest in the Chilalo Mining licence and continues to be a supporter of the Company’s long-term development plan. EV1 has expressed that the progress of exploration is parallel to the industrialisation agenda of the country, as it not only develops the graphite project but also the potential of the Chikundo copper opportunity.
The Executive Director, Craig Moulton, assured that the Company is still dedicated to creating value for shareholders in the long run while at the same time increasing the resource development capacity in Tanzania.
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FAQs
- Up to how many samples has EV1 Minerals taken?
The Company has taken 603 samples until 2 December 2025.
- What is the soil sampling depth?
The teams target the B-horizon at a depth of about 400 mm to obtain dependable geochemical signatures.
- What is the total number of samples planned?
EV1 intends to gather 1,558 samples in total from three target areas.
- When will the drilling get started at Chikundo?
RC drilling is scheduled for the year 2026 after the entire geochemical dataset is evaluated.
