It’s been a busy start to 2022 for Kavango, and we don’t plan on letting up the pace of activity at all as we move into the second half of the year.
In fact, we are carrying out work across several fronts in Botswana right now–including programmes at our Kalahari Suture Zone (“KSZ”), Kalahari Copper Belt (“KCB”), and Ditau projects.
So, with this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the highlights of the last six months and examine what is likely to be on the horizon between now and Christmas.
Our first major development this year came in February, when we delivered drilling results from the KSZ.
This work, which began at the tail end of 2021, was designed to hone in on Norilsk-like massive sulphide targets at depths of around 500m–an ambitious undertaking for a company of our size.
The data we retrieved was able to take our understanding of the KSZ to an unprecedented level. So, to reflect this, we are right now working on a Version 2.0 of our underground model for the project, including our latest insights into how we now think the geology works there.
Moreover, this round of drilling at the KSZ was also responsible for another exciting development.
Indeed, the lessons we learned from the data we retrieved re-opened a historically-raised theory that the KSZ might also host large-scale iron-oxide-copper-gold mineralisation similar to that at the world-renowned Olympic Dam project in Australia.
With our model suggesting that this mineralisation could lie underneath our primary zone of interest at around 1,000m, it’s another ambitious target for a junior explorer like ourselves. However, we are confident that we have the equipment and expert team necessary to push forward and investigate further.
On this note, one advantage across our entire portfolio that has become particularly evident this year is our access to state-of-the-art technology known as audio-magnetotelluric (“AMT”) surveying. For better or worse, the mining companies that preceded us two or three decades ago never had this their disposal.
So, why is it so useful?
Well, since first being pioneered in the field by nickel giant INCO back in 1991, AMT has emerged as an electromagnetic surveying technique that is invaluable when defining drill targets. And as such, we expect to continue using the technology to define areas of interest both at the KSZ and also across other areas of our portfolio.
What should you be looking out for?
This brings us neatly to Kavango’s second major undertaking so far this year: drilling at Ditau.
At the time of writing, much of the core we have drilled is still awaiting assay results. However, the early signs are already promising.
The ideal result would be rare-earth enriched core that could be used to open up a wider area of mineralisation, but we will have to see whether that plays out or not.
So, as the rest of 2022 rolls on, Ditau drill core is one thing to look out for.
But what else is on the cards?
At the KSZ, the plan is to go into our “target acquisition phase.” This will involve combining data acquired from several different sources, including the upcoming results from a TDEM survey on an area of the KSZ known as the B1 Conductor.
The results of the ongoing AMT work will also be factored in, and once new targets have been decided upon, a full operational field plan will be put into place.
Separately, we are also looking to focus more than it has done hitherto on the southern portion of the KSZ to see if we can open up additional upside.
Meanwhile, over at the Kalahari Copper Belt project, a reverse circulation drill programme is set to get underway following a significant soil sampling effort.
Finally, while all that’s going on, an ongoing assessment of the recent drilling at Ditau will be taking place, and the likelihood is that the immediate follow-up will involve AMT, gravity surveys, and possibly some TDEM work too.
All-in-all, after an exciting start the year, the next six months stand to be very important for Kavango. As we continue to push forward, we look forward greatly to keeping our investors as updated as we can.
