Ennex International has confirmed that its prospect at Shaimerdan, Kazakstan, contains a resource of some 4 million tonnes, at a grade of 25 per cent zinc. The results "are very encouraging and add further weight to establishing the commercial potential of the Shaimerden property" said Ennex's managing director, Mr Christian Schaffalitzky. A feasibility study is to be carried out.

Ennex has also announced the results from the drilling programme. The four holes drilled in 1997 had zinc grades ranging from 15.56 per cent to 24.9 per cent, two of which "confirmed the presence of economic grade mineralisation" the company said. Of the seven drill holes not previously assayed, four were sited within the mineralised body and yielded grades ranging from 21.97 per cent to 30.89 per cent.

The other three, outside the main ore body, contained low grade zinc.

Ennex gained its holding in the Shaimerden property through the acquisition of Zinc Corporation of Kazakhstan which was approved at an extraordinary general meeting last December. Zinc held a 95 per cent interest in the property the other 5 per cent is held by local Kazak interests.