Krakatoa Resources Ltd (ASX:KTA) is set to begin its maiden drilling campaign at the Zopkhito Sb-Au Project in Georgia, with preparations for a 7,000-10,000-metre diamond drilling program under way.
The drilling is designed to expand and upgrade the existing foreign resource estimate, which includes 225,000 tonnes of antimony at 11.6% Sb and 7.1 million tonnes of gold at 3.7g/t Au, to a JORC-compliant standard. The program is scheduled to begin in early July.
Preparation work in progress
Krakatoa has started preparations for the field season, including re-establishing access tracks and camp facilities. Local contractors have mobilised to ensure the site is ready for the upcoming campaign.
(Left) Access track showing rockslide over track. (Right) excavator walking along access track towards camp.
In addition to the diamond drilling, Krakatoa will undertake several geophysical surveys designed to detect extensions of the current resource.
“This is an exciting time for Krakatoa as we embark on the first-ever drill program at Zopkhito,” CEO Mark Major said.
“We have planned for a comprehensive drilling program, with the aim to verify and expand the existing foreign resource estimate, calculated from 27 kilometres of underground exploration drives and over 15,000 channel samples,” he added. “This work, along with detailed geophysical surveys, will enable Krakatoa to complete a JORC standard mineral resource estimate for Zopkhito and undertake a preliminary economic assessment.”
Diamond drilling to target high-grade veins
Krakatoa’s diamond drilling program will focus on high-priority zones within the project, with plans for 100 drill holes spread across 13 platforms. The drilling will cover about 50% of the current foreign resource area, with an expected 7,000 meters of drilling for the season.
Location of the proposed drilling platforms and drill hole traces for the initial drill program showing access track network (green – exist, blue – construction required); and vein coverage for the designed 14,000m program (100 holes). Red and Orange bubbles represent high-grade (>5% Sb) adit samples.
The drill holes will average 140 metres in depth, with drill spacing of 55-60 metres, which should allow for classification as JORC Inferred.
The company will deploy two types of rigs: a man-portable rig for smaller platforms and a larger rig designed for underground work. This dual-rig approach will allow Krakatoa to target veins at various dips and orientations, increasing the likelihood of discovering additional mineralization.
In-adit drilling to explore historical veins
Alongside surface drilling, Krakatoa will conduct in-adit core drilling to test the quartz-antimony veins and gold-rich alteration zones. The in-adit drilling will use portable coring systems, allowing Krakatoa to collect core samples at regular intervals within the existing underground tunnels. These samples will be crucial for further defining the mineralized system and enhancing the resource estimate.
If successful, the in-adit drilling will be extended across all accessible veins, providing more detailed data to support the JORC classification process.
Geophysical surveys to improve drill targeting
Krakatoa will also employ geophysical surveys to refine its drill targeting, with plans to conduct a high-resolution drone magnetic survey across the project area. A sub-audio magnetic (SAM) survey may also be used to identify geological structures and resistive anomalies that could indicate additional mineralisation.
These surveys will complement the drilling program, ensuring that Krakatoa can focus its efforts on the most promising areas of the Zopkhito Project.
Zopkhito’s strategic location and mineral potential
The Zopkhito Project is located in Georgia’s Racha region, which offers strategic advantages, including proximity to rail infrastructure linking the area to Black Sea ports. The project is situated within a region known for its rich mineral potential.
Antimony, the primary focus at Zopkhito, is a critical metal used in various industrial and military applications, including electronics, solar panel production, and flame retardants. The growing demand for these materials positions the Zopkhito Project as a potentially valuable asset in the global critical minerals market.
Krakatoa Resources holds an exclusive option to acquire up to 80% of the Zopkhito Project’s mining license and is committed to expanding its resource base while progressing toward JORC classification. As the project progresses, further updates are expected in the coming months.