Kavango Confirms Open-Pit Gold Deposit at Nightshift Prospect in Zimbabwe
Kavango Resources announces maiden JORC-compliant gold resource at Nightshift prospect, boosting Hillside project potential in Zimbabwe
LSE-listed Kavango Resources has confirmed the presence of an open-pit gold deposit at its Nightshift prospect, part of the Hillside gold project in Zimbabwe, following a maiden Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC)-compliant mineral resource estimate (MRE) that exceeded expectations.
Announcing the results on October 20, the company said the MRE validates its strategy to expand gold production through modern, mechanised mining and processing methods.
According to Kavango, the Nightshift deposit is expected to deliver high ore tonnage and strong gold grades per vertical metre, key factors in maximising project potential.
The company is now evaluating plans to upgrade its planned processing capacity at the nearby Bill’s Luck gold mine from 200 tonnes per day (t/d) to 300 t/d, representing a 50% increase, to support the Hillside project’s near-term production ambitions.
Strong Maiden Resource Supports Near-Term Production
The maiden MRE for Nightshift outlines a total resource of 20,000 ounces of gold at an average grade of 0.86 g/t. Of this, 11,000 ounces are classified as indicated at 0.78 g/t, and 9,000 ounces as inferred at 0.98 g/t.
The deposit extends over at least 700 metres of strike length and about 200 metres in width, with potential for both open-pit and underground mining. Kavango noted that the system remains open at depth and along strike, with large areas still untested by drilling.
Following mapping and exploration drilling in 2024, Kavango’s technical team identified Nightshift’s open-pit potential after the first three holes intersected gold-bearing structures more than 200 metres below surface.
In early 2025, the company completed resource drilling on a 100 m × 125 m grid, testing roughly 15% of the known strike length. Results confirmed sufficient mineralisation to support a minimum three-year mine life during the project’s first production phase.
Next Steps: Drilling, Expansion, and Resource Growth
Kavango plans to begin shallow, selective open-pit mining at Nightshift in the first half of 2026, following additional close-spaced grade control drilling. Further exploration along strike and at depth is planned to evaluate the underground potential of the deposit.
The company is also advancing resource definition drilling at Bill’s Luck, with an initial MRE expected before the end of 2025, aimed at derisking and refining the overall Hillside mine plan.
“This maiden JORC resource at Nightshift is a defining moment for Kavango,” said CEO Ben Turney. “It confirms that our gold development strategy in Zimbabwe is delivering results and that our focus on near-surface, fast-track production targets is working.”
Turney noted that the initial drilling campaign, which covered only 15% of the 700 m strike length and reached depths of just 50 m, has already provided stronger-than-expected results. This, he said, reinforces confidence in the broader resource potential of the Nightshift prospect.
“Gold-bearing structures have been encountered more than 200 m below surface, indicating significant underground mining opportunities,” Turney added.
Hillside Growth Strategy and Exploration Outlook
Kavango is assessing the feasibility of increasing its Hillside production capacity from 200 t/d to 300 t/d, supported by the robust resource potential identified at Nightshift.
In parallel, the company will extend trenching at Nightshift to test the strike length’s potential expansion from 700 m to up to 1,400 m, while also preparing a diamond drilling programme to investigate deeper gold zones.
“Our next steps at Nightshift are integral to the broader Hillside development strategy,” Turney said. “With strong gold prices and growing momentum across our portfolio, we are confident in unlocking the full potential of our gold projects in Zimbabwe.”
