Botswana focussed metals exploration company Kavango Resources plc (LSE:KAV) (“Kavango”) is pleased to announce that Mindea Exploration and Drilling Services Pty (“Mindea”) has mobilised the multi-purpose drill rig (the “Rig”) for the Company’s maiden drill campaign in the Kalahari Copper Belt (“KCB”).
PL082/2018 is one of Kavango’s most advanced prospecting following extensive surface exploration and geophysical surveying across the entire area.
The Rig has been mobilised to conduct a first phase drill programme on PL082/2018, where Kavango is targeting a potential analogue to Khoemacau’s Banana Zone deposit. The Banana Zone deposit sits immediately to the south of Ghanzi Ridge and exhibits similar geophysical characteristics to survey data acquired by Kavango over PL082/2018.
HIGHLIGHTS
– Drill rig mobilisation
– Mindea has deployed a rig capable of reverse circulation (“RC”) and diamond core (“DC”) drilling to PL082/2018
– Drill camp and first drill pad prepared
– First phase drilling programme
– Drilling to commence no later than 9 October
– Expected completion by early November
– Up to 6 holes (est. 1,250m) designed to test the Northern and Central anomalies ( announced >>> 29 September 2022 )
– CSAMT
– Kavango has also commenced a Controlled-Source Audio MagnetoTelluric (“CSAMT”) survey of up to 17 line-km over PL082/2018
– Goal is to map subsurface structures to optimise drill orientation
Ben Turney, Chief Executive Officer of Kavango Resources, commented:
“In keeping with our ambitions in the Kalahari Copper Belt, we have moved fast to mobilise the rig. The speed at which we are able to work demonstrates how much progress we’ve made over the past year.
PL082/2018 is our best immediate target in the KCB. It is our most advanced licence and demonstrates the best geology at surface, which we hope could prove to be telling.
We’ve achieved near total coverage across this licence in terms of geophysical surveying, geological mapping and soil sampling. While the CSAMT survey could yet still provide a new valuable data source, we are confident in the targeting work we’ve completed to date/
We expect this first phase drill programme will last around a month, with samples sent immediately for laboratory testing. Results from this will guide future drilling.
In the meantime, our team in the field has worked hard over the last week to finalise preparations. The drill camp is set up, the first pad is prepared, and the rig is on course to commence its work later this week.
Drilling is always the most exciting activity for any exploration company, and we look forward to what the next few weeks will bring.”
First phase drill programme details
Under the terms of its contract with Kavango, Mindea has mobilised its multi-purposed rig for a first phase drilling programme (the “Drill Programme”) on PL082/2018 in the KCB. Kavango has established an exploration camp in the drilling area and cleared the first drill pad.
The Drill Programme will consist of an initial 6 holes for 1,250m of drilling designed to test 2 discrete copper geochemical anomalies (the “Target Zones”), which are aligned with mapped underlying geology at PL082/2018 ( announced >>> 26 th August 2022 ).
The details of the Target Zones are as follows:
I) Central Zone (Cu: >30ppm, Max 118.8ppm)
– Follows the geological trend of a sub outcropping anticline. This anticline forms the dome that hosts the Zeta and Plutus copper deposits located by Discovery Metals to the North East. The elevated copper values are postulated to represent a possible leakage zone from an underlying redox contact
– The unit has been mapped to extend over the length of PL082/2018, extending over 27km, and is also characterised by a zone of elevated magnetic response
– Infill soil sampling ( announced >>> 29 th September 2022 ) confirmed elevated readings along the Target, further strengthening its prospectivity
II) Northern Zone (Cu: >30ppm, Max 39.7ppm)
– A robust anomaly occurring in an area with no outcrop (under Kalahari cover) on the edge of a magnetic high that bears similarities to the Ourea and Quirinus copper deposits identified by Discovery Metals in 2009. These deposits are interpreted to be on the limbs of tight anticlines
– Previous work by Kavango identified an Airborne ElectroMagnetic (“AEM”) conductor, which coincides with the geochemical northern zone identified in this latest work
– Infill soil sampling confirmed that the Target extends over 9km of geological strike length and has a maximum width of 650m, which may comprise up to three separate parallel anomalies, with a peak value of 43ppm Cu (pXRF values)
Drilling is expected to complete by early November. Upon completion, samples will be sent to an internationally accredited laboratory for testing.
Kavango has so far identified 188 drill collar locations and aims ultimately to complete up to 37,600m or RC and diamond drilling ( announced >>> 30 th September 2022 ). These locations are centred on 14 priority target areas delineated across 4 of the Company’s 12 KCB licences, where field exploration is ongoing.
CSAMT details
Kavango has also initiated a CSAMT survey of up to 17 line-km within PL082/2018. The Company’s objective is to provide resolution of the anticipated anticline structure and to ensure optimal drill orientation.
Further information in respect of Kavango and its business interests is provided on the Company’s website at www.kavangoresources.com and on Twitter at #KAV.
For further information please contact:
Kavango Resources plc
Ben Turney
