Wia Gold is ramping up exploration efforts at the Kokoseb Gold Project by adding two reverse circulation (RC) rigs to its drilling fleet.
This development brings Wia Gold’s drilling fleet to three RC rigs and two diamond drill rigs.
“Drilling activities have been bolstered in January with two additional RC rigs, bringing the total to three RC rigs. RC drilling will focus on shallow-depth resource conversion, initially targeting infill drilling. The current two diamond drilling (DD) rigs will continue exploring high-grade mineralized shoots at depth, primarily in the Central Zone, with an additional diamond rig scheduled to commence operations toward the end of January,” the company said.
In April 2024, Wia Gold announced an updated Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for Kokoseb of 2.12 million ounces (Moz) at 1.0 g/t Au, representing a 63% increase from the maiden MRE. This update included a higher-grade component of 1.53 million ounces at 1.4 g/t Au.
The primary focus of exploration activities has been drilling, along with preparations for a significant increase in activities to advance the project into the development phase at the company’s 2.1 Moz Kokoseb Gold Project.
The company anticipates continuing drilling with six rigs for at least the first six months of 2025.
Drilling is ongoing with a dual focus on substantial MRE growth and classification upgrades.
“RC drilling will focus on shallow-depth resource conversion, initially targeting infill drilling. The current two diamond rigs will continue exploring high-grade mineralized shoots at depth, mainly in the Central Zone, with an additional DD rig set to begin operations imminently,” the company said.
During the quarter, Wia Gold continued its regional reconnaissance program across various exploration licenses.
These programs included stream sediment sampling, reconnaissance mapping, and rock chipping aimed at fast-tracking decisions on pursuing systematic exploration programs that complement ongoing work at Kokoseb.
Planned activity ramp-ups for this year include appointing consultants focused on mine scheduling and design, conducting additional metallurgical test work, and undertaking environmental studies, hydrology studies, process plant engineering, non-process site infrastructure planning, tailings disposal, energy and power supply assessments, and evaluating capital and operating costs.
In 2022, Wia Gold confirmed a gold discovery after results from its first three diamond holes of a 12-hole drilling program at the Kokoseb Project showed high-grade intercepts.
The expanded program will focus on resource conversion, high-grade shoot extensions, and exploring new zones.
In parallel, Wia Gold is advancing critical environmental, metallurgical, and engineering studies as it works toward delivering a comprehensive scoping study this year.
The Kokoseb Gold Project is located in northwest Namibia, approximately 320 km by road from the capital city, Windhoek.
The project lies within the Okombahe Exploration Licence, which is held under a joint venture by WIA (80%) and the Namibian state-owned mining company, Epangelo.
Epangelo was established in 2009 by the government to ensure the sustainable exploitation of mineral resources, local beneficiation of raw materials, and the formation of joint venture partnerships “with interested states and companies with similar objectives and corporate structures.”
