Zopkhito Drilling Set for 7,000-10,000m Campaign Targeting JORC Resource Upgrade

Krakatoa’s Strategic Move into Georgia’s Mineral Riches

Krakatoa Resources Limited (ASX – KTA) has announced the commencement of preparatory work for its inaugural drilling program at the Zopkhito antimony-gold project in Georgia. This marks a significant step forward for the company as it seeks to validate and expand a substantial foreign resource estimate through a comprehensive exploration campaign.

The Zopkhito Project, situated in the mountainous Racha region of Georgia, holds a foreign resource estimate of 225,000 tonnes at 11.6% antimony and 7.1 million tonnes at 3.7 grams per tonne gold, equating to approximately 26,000 tonnes of contained antimony and over 815,000 ounces of gold. However, this estimate is not yet compliant with the JORC Code, the industry standard for reporting mineral resources, which Krakatoa aims to achieve through its upcoming drilling and survey work.

Drilling and Survey Plans to Unlock Value

The company plans a 7,000 to 10,000-metre diamond drilling program starting in early July, supported by in-adit core drilling within existing underground workings. This dual approach is designed to intersect the high-grade antimony veins and the gold-rich alteration zones in the footwall and hanging wall, providing a robust dataset for resource classification.

Complementing the drilling, Krakatoa will conduct high-resolution drone magnetic surveys and potentially sub-audio magnetic surveys to better delineate subsurface structures and guide drill targeting. These geophysical techniques are critical in complex terrains like Zopkhito’s, where mineralisation can extend beyond known limits.

Georgia’s Strategic Advantage

Georgia’s geopolitical position as a gateway between Europe and Asia, combined with its investor-friendly policies and extensive free trade agreements, adds a compelling dimension to the project’s potential. The country’s economic openness, ease of doing business, and duty-free access to markets encompassing nearly 3 billion people provide Krakatoa with a favourable environment to advance its exploration and eventual development ambitions.

CEO Mark Major emphasised the significance of this phase, noting that the drilling campaign aims not only to verify the existing resource but also to expand it, setting the stage for a preliminary economic assessment. This assessment will be crucial in determining the project’s viability and guiding future investment decisions.

Looking Ahead

While the foreign resource estimate provides a promising foundation, the transition to a JORC-compliant resource is a critical milestone that will enhance the project’s credibility and attractiveness to investors. Krakatoa’s methodical approach, combining drilling, core sampling, and geophysical surveys, reflects a commitment to rigorous exploration standards and prudent resource development.

As the company reestablishes access tracks and camp facilities, the market will be watching closely for initial drilling results and updates on resource classification progress. Success at Zopkhito could position Krakatoa as a notable player in the strategic antimony and gold sectors, with a foothold in a region poised for increased mining activity.