Kaoko Metals (ASX:KAO) awards maiden diamond drilling contract for Chalkos Copper Silver Project

Kaoko Metals has awarded the contract for its maiden diamond drilling program at the Chalkos Copper Silver Project in Namibia to Optimine Exploration & Drilling Namibia.

Mobilisation is expected within 1 to 2 weeks, with drilling to commence shortly thereafter following completion of final site and logistical preparations.

The company says the program represents its transition from surface exploration and target definition into the first systematic drill testing of the Donkey Hill and Otniel prospects.

Highlights

Optimine was selected following a competitive tender process that assessed technical capability, operational experience, safety, equipment availability, local knowledge and mobilisation timing.

The contractor is a Namibian owned exploration drilling company providing diamond core, reverse circulation, underground, exploration and geotechnical drilling services across Namibia and Southern Africa.

According to the company, Optimine's local operating capability, experienced personnel and knowledge of Namibian conditions are expected to support the safe and efficient execution of the maiden drilling program.

The maiden drilling program is initially planned to comprise approximately 2,000 to 3,000m of diamond drilling across the Donkey Hill and Otniel prospects, where the company says copper mineralisation has been identified at surface.

The principal objectives are to test beneath and along strike from mapped outcropping copper mineralisation, evaluate the depth, orientation and continuity of the mineralised zones, test priority targets identified through surface mapping, sampling and structural interpretation, further define the structural controls on mineralisation, and provide geological information to refine and expand future drilling programs.

Kaoko Managing Director Gerard O'Donovan said the program had been designed to improve the company's understanding of the structural controls on mineralisation, stating,

"In addition to testing the mineralisation beneath these outcrops, the program has been designed to improve our understanding of the structural controls that we believe play an integral role in the development and distribution of mineralisation across the Chalkos system."

Alongside the Chalkos drilling program, the company says its project scale geochemical program at the Karibib Gold Copper Tungsten Project is progressing ahead of expectations.

Planned activities include continuation of project scale geochemical sampling and integration of the geochemical results with existing geological, geophysical and historical datasets.

Kaoko Metals describes Chalkos as its flagship Copper Silver Project, located within the under explored Kaoko Copper Belt, where known mineralisation represents only a small portion of a substantial landholding.

The company says it is applying systematic, modern exploration techniques to define and expand existing mineralisation while targeting new discoveries across its broader tenure.

At the Karibib Gold Copper Tungsten Project, located in the Damara Belt, the company is focused on advancing known zones of mineralisation through staged exploration and resource definition.

The company's immediate work program includes mobilisation of Optimine's drilling equipment and personnel to Chalkos, completion of final drill site preparation and logistical activities, and commencement of maiden diamond drilling at the Donkey Hill and Otniel prospects.

Geological and structural logging of drill core will be undertaken, with drill core samples to be progressively submitted for laboratory analysis.

The company will also continue project scale geochemical sampling at Karibib and integrate the geochemical results with existing geological, geophysical and historical datasets.