Special Report: Kaoko Metals has kicked off maiden diamond drilling at its flagship Chalkos Copper-Silver Project in Namibia, moving from surface exploration to the first deep test of outcropping copper-silver targets.

Kaoko Metals (ASX:KAO) said the initial program would comprise about 2000–3000m of diamond drilling focused on its highest-priority targets at Donkey Hill and Otniel.

The program will test outcropping copper-silver mineralisation, assess continuity at depth and along strike, and build a clearer picture of the structural controls influencing mineralisation at Chalkos.

Managing director Gerard O’Donovan said the start of drilling was a defining milestone after months of systematic exploration and target generation.

“The start of drilling at Chalkos represents a defining milestone for Kaoko Metals and follows months of systematic exploration and target generation,” he said.

“Importantly, this program is only the beginning of our journey.”

Results from the program will feed into its geological model and help prioritise the next round of drilling across the Chalkos project.

First test

The maiden drilling follows recent mapping, geological interpretation and target refinement across Chalkos.

It will test whether visible copper-silver mineralisation at Donkey Hill and Otniel extends at depth.

First-pass core will give the company a clearer read on the geometry, continuity and controls of the system.

This information will feed into the company’s evolving geological model and underpin follow-up drilling across the broader project area.

Watch: Kaoko awards contract for maiden Chalkos drilling

Mapping push

Drilling is just one part of the current work program.

KAO has also started detailed geological and structural mapping along the 2.2km prospective corridor between Donkey Hill and Otniel.

A specialist structural geologist is working with the company to improve understanding of the architecture controlling mineralisation through the corridor.

Surface structural observations will be integrated with diamond drilling data.

Structural controls are considered central to how mineralisation is distributed across Chalkos.

Future targets

The combination of mapping and drilling is aimed at sharpening future target generation.

KAO says the structural work is part of a systematic exploration strategy expected to improve targeting for future drilling campaigns across Chalkos.

The first holes are designed to test current targets and build a repeatable model for the broader copper-silver system.

This is important in an underexplored belt where known mineralisation may represent only a small part of its broader landholding.

Namibia focus

Chalkos is the company’s flagship project within Namibia’s underexplored Kaoko Copper Belt.

It is using modern exploration techniques to define and expand known mineralisation and to seek new discoveries across its tenure.

KAO is also advancing the Karibib gold-copper-tungsten project in the Damara Belt, near established operations including the Navachab gold mine and Twin Hills gold project.

The broader strategy is to build a scalable copper, silver and gold exploration platform in Namibia, with Chalkos as the flagship.

Next steps

The immediate focus is on drill progress at Donkey Hill and Otniel.

Core will be logged and interpreted as drilling advances, with results expected to confirm whether the copper-silver system continues at depth and whether structural controls can open up new targets.

KAO has now moved from target generation to drilling, with the first holes at Chalkos set to show whether the surface copper-silver story extends at depth.

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.