Kaoko Minerals has moved closer to launching its maiden drilling programme at the Donkey Hill prospect within its Chalkos Project in north-western Namibia, following encouraging exploration results and the identification of priority drill targets.
According to Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Gerard O’Donovan, the company’s exploration team is currently undertaking detailed geological mapping and field measurements to finalise the design of the initial drilling campaign.
The work includes assessing geological structures, dip angles and mineralisation trends, which will be used to determine drill hole locations and optimise the drilling programme.
“Right now, the LexRox team is taking measurements, including dips and dip angles, which will help inform the design of our maiden drilling programme. We are currently assessing potential collar and rig positions, after which we will finalise the drill plan and move forward with testing this highly prospective target,” he said.
O’Donovan said visible mineralisation at Donkey Hill has increased confidence in the prospect’s potential.
Historical artisanal workings in the area have exposed mineralised zones in both the hanging wall and footwall, while recent field observations have identified significant occurrences of malachite and sulphide minerals at surface.
The upcoming drilling programme will test the extent, continuity and grade of the mineralisation below surface, providing the first direct assessment of the prospect’s economic potential.
“As I’ve said before, all systems go for Kaoko at the moment. Looking around, there is a significant amount of malachite and a range of sulphide minerals visible at surface. We are excited to get a drill rig on site, get the ‘truth machine’ turning, pull core from the ground and better understand the potential of Donkey Hill and the Chalkos Project on a broader scale,” O’Donovan said.
Current exploration activities are focused on a 700-metre mineralised zone exposed at surface. However, the broader Chalkos Project covers approximately 80,000 hectares, providing significant scope for additional discoveries and future resource growth.
Kaoko Minerals said exploration teams are also evaluating other targets across the wider project area as part of its broader exploration strategy in Namibia.
The maiden drilling programme is expected to commence once final drill collar positions and rig locations have been confirmed.
