Kaoko Metals Secures First Diamond Drilling Contract for Namibia Copper Project
Australian Explorer Kaoko Metals Begins First Copper Drilling Campaign at Namibia’s Chalkos Project
Australian exploration company Kaoko Metals has awarded its first diamond drilling contract to Namibian contractor Optimine as it prepares to begin exploration drilling at the Chalkos copper project in Namibia’s Kaoko Belt.
Optimine is expected to mobilise to the project within two weeks, with the initial drilling campaign set to cover between 2,000 and 3,000 metres at the Donkey Hill and Otniel prospects, where copper mineralisation has already been identified at surface.
The maiden drilling programme represents a major milestone for Kaoko Metals as the company moves from surface exploration into active resource evaluation.
The campaign will provide the first systematic test of the two prospects, helping determine the depth, continuity, and geological controls of the copper mineralisation.
Data collected from the drilling programme will be used to improve the company’s geological understanding of the Chalkos project and guide future exploration activities.
Kaoko Metals Managing Director Gerard O’Donovan said awarding the drilling contract marks the beginning of an important new phase for the company.
He said Optimine was selected following a competitive process due to its technical expertise, strong safety record, modern equipment, and extensive experience operating in Namibia.
“Drilling at Donkey Hill and Otniel will proceed alongside the advancing Karibib programme,” O’Donovan said.
Optimine is a Namibian-owned drilling company specialising in diamond core drilling, reverse circulation drilling, underground drilling, exploration drilling, and geotechnical services across Namibia and the wider southern African region.
Kaoko Metals said the contractor’s local knowledge and experienced workforce will support the safe and efficient execution of the drilling campaign.
During the programme, recovered drill core will be analysed and sampled to define the structure of the mineralised zones and identify the geological features controlling copper deposits.
Results from laboratory assays will then be incorporated into the company’s exploration model to support future drilling and development decisions.
The Chalkos project is located within Namibia’s underexplored Kaoko Belt, a geological region attracting growing interest due to its similarities with the Central African Copperbelt, one of the world’s major sediment-hosted copper provinces.
In addition to the Chalkos copper exploration campaign, Kaoko Metals is continuing geochemical sampling at its Karibib gold-copper-tungsten project in the Damara Belt, with results expected to identify additional exploration targets.
