Arc Minerals Selects Drilling Contractor for Botswana’s Virgo Copper Project
Arc Minerals Selects Drilling Contractor for 6,000m-Plus Botswana Copper Exploration Programme
Arc Minerals has selected G D E Botswana Drilling & Exploration, also known as Global Drill, to undertake a major diamond drilling programme at its Virgo copper project in Botswana’s Kalahari Copper Belt (KCB).
The programme will target high-priority areas within licence PL135/2017, located in the Zone 5 corridor, with drilling expected to exceed 6,000 metres.
Drilling to test high-priority targets
The phased programme will investigate approximately 14 kilometres of the D’kar-Ngwako Pan Formation contact, identified through a recent induced polarisation (IP) chargeability and resistivity survey.
Key targets include the South Fold Area, Central Area and Zone 9.
At South Fold, drilling will test the strike extension of the mineralised zone east of discovery hole DD004.
The Central Area contains structural features considered favourable for potential mineralisation, while drilling at Zone 9 will target near-surface extensions of mineralisation intersected by MMG at depth on the adjacent licence.
Global Drill was selected for its established experience in Botswana’s Kalahari Copper Belt.
During the programme, Arc Minerals will analyse drill core using portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) technology.
Selected samples will then be submitted to an internationally recognised laboratory for detailed assaying.
The company expects the drilling programme to provide additional geological information and help determine the scale and continuity of copper mineralisation across the Virgo licence.
Arc Minerals CEO Rémy Welschinger highlighted the project’s strategic position within the Zone 5 corridor, close to recent priority copper discoveries associated with MMG’s Khoemacau operation.
Expanding Botswana copper exploration
The Virgo project covers a prospective section of the Kalahari Copper Belt, an emerging copper district that has attracted increased exploration and investment.
The upcoming drilling campaign represents an important exploration milestone for Arc Minerals as it seeks to expand its understanding of the mineral system and assess the potential for a significant copper discovery in Botswana.
