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Kokoseb Drilling Yields 89.6m at 0.90 g/t Au; Wia Adds Two RC Rigs

Mining By Maxwell Dee 3 min read

Wia Gold has reported compelling assay results from recent drilling at its Kokoseb Gold discovery in Namibia, revealing high-grade gold intercepts and announcing a significant ramp-up in exploration and development activities for 2025.

  • High-grade gold intercepts in Central and NW Zones at Kokoseb
  • Unconstrained 89.6m intercept at 0.90 g/t Au in NW Zone
  • Addition of two RC rigs to accelerate drilling campaigns
  • Focus on resource conversion from inferred to indicated
  • Initiation of scoping study workstreams including mine design and environmental assessments

Drilling Delivers Strong Results at Kokoseb

Wia Gold Limited (ASX: WIA) has unveiled a series of encouraging assay results from its recent reverse circulation (RC) and diamond drilling programs at the Kokoseb Gold discovery in Namibia. The company reported significant intercepts in both the Central high-grade area and the NW Zone, reinforcing the deposit's potential to grow beyond its current 2.12 million ounce inferred resource.

Notably, diamond drillhole KDD040 intersected 21.9 meters grading 4.32 grams per tonne (g/t) gold, including a higher-grade segment of 9.7 meters at 7.27 g/t Au, while KDD039 returned 19.8 meters at 2.28 g/t Au. In the NW Zone, the deepest hole to date, KDD042, yielded an unconstrained intercept of 89.6 meters at 0.90 g/t Au, with several higher-grade intervals within this broad mineralised envelope. These results highlight both the continuity and thickness of mineralisation at depth, a promising sign for future resource expansion.

Strategic Ramp-Up of Exploration and Development

In response to these positive drilling outcomes, Wia Gold is accelerating its activities in 2025. The company plans to add two additional RC rigs to its existing fleet, bringing the total to three RC rigs alongside two diamond rigs. This expansion aims to intensify shallow depth infill drilling to convert inferred resources to indicated status, while continuing deep exploration of high-grade shoots, particularly in the Central Zone.

Beyond drilling, Wia Gold is advancing a comprehensive suite of studies critical for project development. Consultants have been appointed to focus on mine scheduling and design, metallurgical test work, environmental and hydrological studies, process plant engineering, and infrastructure planning. These efforts are geared towards delivering a Scoping Study within the year, marking a key milestone as Kokoseb transitions from exploration to development.

Geological Context and Resource Potential

The Kokoseb deposit lies within the Damaran Project in north-west Namibia, a jurisdiction with a strong mining pedigree. The gold mineralisation is hosted in biotite-schists intruded by granitic plutons, typical of orogenic gold systems. The deposit remains open in multiple directions, including at depth and along strike, with recent drilling also identifying new mineralisation in the Eastern Zone.

Wia Gold’s Executive Chairman, Josef El-Raghy, emphasised the consistency of grade and the significant upside potential, stating that the company is committed to expanding the resource base and advancing the project through 2025. The current inferred resource stands at 2.12 million ounces at 1.0 g/t Au, with a higher-grade portion of 1.53 million ounces at 1.4 g/t Au, all at a discovery cost below US$3 per ounce.

Looking Ahead

With the drilling program intensifying and multidisciplinary studies underway, Kokoseb is poised for a transformative year. The combination of robust assay results, resource growth potential, and a clear development pathway positions Wia Gold as a compelling story in the gold exploration sector.

Bottom Line?

Wia Gold’s Kokoseb project is entering a critical phase where exploration success meets development planning, setting the stage for potential resource growth and value creation.

Questions in the middle?

  • How will the addition of new RC rigs impact the pace and quality of resource conversion?
  • What are the expected timelines and key deliverables for the upcoming Scoping Study?
  • Could further drilling in the Eastern Zone materially increase the overall resource base?