Special Report: Kaoko Metals is gearing up for its first diamond drilling at the Chalkos copper-silver project in Namibia, after awarding the contract to Optimine Exploration & Drilling Namibia.

Optimine is set to mobilise within two weeks, with drilling to kick off as soon as final site works are wrapped up.

The initial ~2000-3000m program will target Donkey Hill and Otniel, where copper mineralisation is already mapped at surface.

Kaoko (ASX:KAO) will drill beneath and along strike from exposed copper zones to test depth, orientation and continuity, and sharpen its understanding of Chalkos’ structural controls.

Kaoko’s geological team will travel to Namibia for the start of drilling.

Managing director Gerard O’Donovan said the contract shifted Kaoko into a new phase of exploration.

“The award of our maiden diamond drilling contract marks the beginning of an exciting new phase for the company as we transition into active drilling operations in the field,” he said.

O’Donovan said Optimine was selected for its technical capability and Namibian experience, with drilling at Donkey Hill and Otniel to proceed alongside the advancing Karibib program.

First test

This campaign marks the first systematic drill test of Donkey Hill and Otniel.

Targets have been defined by surface mapping, sampling and structural work, with drilling set to test extensions beneath and along strike from known copper zones.

Core from the program will be logged in detail to develop the geometry of the mineralised system and pinpoint controls for future targeting.

Kaoko sees structure as a key factor in the development and distribution of mineralisation across the broader Chalkos project.

Local expertise

Optimine secured the contract through a competitive tender, with its technical capability, safety record, equipment and local knowledge.

The Namibian-owned contractor provides diamond-core, reverse-circulation, underground, exploration and geotechnical drilling services across Namibia and southern Africa.

Optimine’s local capability and experienced personnel are expected to support safe and efficient delivery

Watch: Kaoko Metals confirms polymetallic prospectivity

Next steps

Kaoko is putting the final touches on drill-site preparations as it lines up Optimine’s mobilisation and the start of drilling.

Core will be logged and sampled as drilling progresses, with assay results set to refine geological interpretation and shape the next phase of drilling.

Chalkos is located in the Kaoko belt, an underexplored stretch of northwest Namibia thought to host distinct similarities to the Central African Copperbelt, which runs through the DRC and Zambia.

The Central African belt is the world’s largest sedimentary hosted copper field, and the fastest growing copper producing region in the world.

Project-scale geochemical sampling is also underway at the Karibib gold-copper-tungsten project in the Damara Belt, with results to be integrated alongside existing geological, geophysical and historical datasets.

Karibib is located near established operations including the Navachab gold mine and Twin Hills gold project.

This article was developed in collaboration with Kaoko Metals, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing. 

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.