Connected Minerals launches maiden ~6,000m drilling campaign at Bailundo
Connected Minerals Limited (ASX:CML) has commenced mobilisation for the first systematic drill programme at its Bailundo Carbonatite Project in Angola, marking a decisive shift from planning into execution.
The campaign comprises approximately 6,000m of combined reverse circulation (RC) and diamond drilling, designed to gather the geological and analytical data needed to support the Company’s maiden JORC Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE).
Drilling is scheduled to commence this month across two large, surface-expressed Niobium (Nb) and Rare Earth Element (REE) target areas within a carbonatite complex extending roughly 7km in diameter.
The Project is held by Frontier Group CRM Pty Ltd, which holds an 80% interest. Connected shareholders approved the acquisition of 100% of Frontier on 28 July 2026, and the Company is currently in the process of completing the Transaction.
The Bailundo acquisition cleared its final corporate hurdles on 28 July 2026, when shareholders approved all resolutions at the General Meeting and Angola’s ANRM formally expanded the Mineral Investment Contract to cover niobium, rare earth elements and phosphates.
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Inside the drill programme — two priority Nb and REE targets
The programme represents the first systematic drill testing of Bailundo, targeting the continuity, geometry and grade of shallow mineralisation across the Project’s two highest-priority zones.
RC drilling is intended to rapidly test continuity across the target areas, while strategically positioned diamond holes will provide structural, density, lithological, metallurgical and geological information required for future resource estimation.
The programme predominantly targets shallow mineralisation within the weathered carbonatite profile, with nominal hole depths of ~50 to 75m. This shallow orientation supports the potential for a low-strip, open-pit mining scenario.
| Target | Commodity | Metres | Holes | Drill Pattern |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern Zone | Niobium | ~2,500m | 45 | 100m × 50m (22.5-ha Fe-carbonatite) |
| Northern Zone | Rare Earths | ~3,000m | 54 | 150m × 200m (162-ha target) |
| Scout drilling | New targets | ~500m | — | Geophysics-guided |
In total, the programme comprises 99 planned drill holes totalling ~5,500m (excluding scout drilling). Additional technical detail includes:
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The tighter southern spacing reflects the more advanced geological understanding of the zone and its priority for resource definition.
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The wider northern spacing has been selected to establish the continuity and extent of mineralisation to guide future infill drilling.
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Selected diamond holes will twin certain historical drill holes.
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Final collar locations, depths and orientations will be refined following geophysical interpretation and a final review by the Company’s Competent Person prior to drilling.
What is a carbonatite — and why Nb and REE matter
At Bailundo, the mineralisation is considered highly prospective for shallow, regolith-hosted deposits. Regolith-hosted means the mineralisation sits within weathered, near-surface material, which can support lower-cost, open-pit mining rather than deep underground extraction.
The scale of the complex has drawn independent validation from an internationally recognised carbonatite specialist.
Dr Pete Siegfried, Carbonatite Specialist
“One of the larger, and importantly underexplored, carbonatite complexes on the planet.”
Dr Siegfried’s May 2026 independent review validated Frontier’s geological interpretation and confirmed the two distinct target areas. His recommendations have been incorporated into the design of the drilling programme, refining target prioritisation, drill spacing, hole orientation and the integration of geophysical datasets.
Geophysics, site works and stakeholder support de-risk the campaign
Preparatory works across geophysics, site establishment and stakeholder engagement demonstrate the campaign’s execution readiness.
Geophysical surveys sharpening drill targeting
GeoFocus (Pty) Ltd has completed Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) surveys across the target areas, with interpretation now well advanced. A high-resolution drone magnetic survey is also nearing completion.
The integrated geophysical programme is designed to map the thickness of the weathered carbonatite profile, identify previously unrecognised prospective zones, and optimise the positioning and depth of planned drill holes before drilling.
The Company is also evaluating a broader airborne magnetic and radiometric survey across the wider Project concession area to support identification of additional priority targets.
Mobilisation and community backing
Physical mobilisation is well advanced ahead of drilling, with key operational support now in place:
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Drilling contracts executed.
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Warehouse, offices and staff accommodation secured.
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Drill pad clearing and access road works commenced.
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Provincial manager, local geologists and administrative workforce engaged, with local businesses utilised for accommodation, catering and logistics.
The Company has met with the Governor of Huambo Province, the Municipal Administrator of Bailundo, the King of Bailundo and other traditional leaders, while maintaining engagement with the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas (MIREMPET), Angola’s National Agency for Mineral Resources (ANRM), and the Angolan Ambassador to Australia. These engagements have reinforced strong government and community support for the planned programme.
Funding, timeline and the path to a maiden resource
To support preparatory works ahead of completion, Ilwella Pty Ltd, the investment vehicle of the Flannery Family Office and a 33.3% shareholder in Frontier, provided US$600k bridging funding to Frontier ahead of completion of the Transaction. The funding enables ongoing preparation and commencement of the early exploration activities described.
The roadmap to a maiden resource follows a defined sequence:
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Complete geophysical interpretation and finalise drill targeting.
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Commence the ~6,000m drilling programme this month.
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Complete drilling ahead of the onset of the November 2026 wet season.
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Target delivery of the maiden JORC MRE towards the end of the June 2027 quarter.
Successful completion of the programme is expected to represent a significant milestone in the systematic evaluation of the Project and, subject to the results, establish the foundation for ongoing resource growth and future development studies.
The Company remains interested in acquiring data from historical exploration programmes conducted between 2010 and 2014 and is in ongoing discussions to do so. No binding agreement has been reached, and the planned drilling programme is not contingent on acquiring this data.
CEO Commentary
“Exploration at Bailundo is now moving decisively from planning into execution. Crucial preparatory and early exploration activities, funded by Ilwella, have continued throughout the Transaction completion process, allowing us to maintain strong momentum and advance the Project. Two large, surface-expressed niobium and rare earth targets have been defined and the geophysical surveys will refine our understanding and potentially identify new target areas. Drilling contracts have been executed, site infrastructure and access works have commenced, and our in-country operational team has continued to expand. The upcoming programme will be the first systematic drilling and evaluation program of what we believe is one of the world’s largest and most underexplored carbonatite complexes and represents an important step towards defining a maiden JORC Mineral Resource,” said Stephen Wetherall, Chief Executive Officer.
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