High-Grade Mineralisation at Central Otavi Could Mirror Tsumeb’s Legacy
Golden Deeps Ltd has reported outstanding high-grade copper, zinc, silver, lead, and germanium results from rockchip sampling at its Central Otavi Project in Namibia, revealing mineralisation analogous to the major Tsumeb deposit. Follow-up trenching and geophysical surveys are underway to define drill targets.
- Rockchip samples show up to 38.3% copper and 97 g/t germanium
- Two parallel mineralised corridors identified over 1km by 800m area
- Mineralisation analogous to historic Tsumeb deposit 20km north
- Ongoing trenching, channel sampling, and soil sampling programs
- Planned induced polarisation surveys to locate sulphide drill targets
Exceptional Multi-Element Mineralisation Discovered
Golden Deeps Ltd (ASX, GED) has announced remarkable exploration results from its recently acquired Central Otavi Project in Namibia's Otavi Mountain Land. Rockchip sampling across a 1km by 800m area in Target Area 6 has revealed exceptionally high grades of copper, zinc, silver, lead, and notably germanium, with copper grades reaching as high as 38.3% and germanium up to 97 g/t.
The sampling identified two roughly parallel mineralised corridors, designated Gossan 1 (G1) and Gossan 2 (G2). G1, extending over 600 meters, is characterised by spectacular copper, zinc, and silver grades, while G2, over 800 meters long, shows a strong zinc-lead-silver-germanium signature. These corridors remain open along strike, suggesting potential for further extensions.
Analogy to the Historic Tsumeb Deposit
The mineralisation style and geochemical signature at Area 6 closely resemble the world-class Tsumeb deposit located just 20 kilometers to the north. Tsumeb historically produced 27 million tonnes at grades of 4.3% copper, 10% lead, 3.5% zinc, 95 g/t silver, and 50 g/t germanium. Golden Deeps’ CEO Jon Dugdale highlighted the significance of this analogy, noting the potential for substantial, high-grade sulphide discoveries in multiple zones within the Central Otavi Project.
The Tsumeb deposit is known for its complex fault-breccia and cave-fill sulphide mineralisation hosted in carbonate rocks, a geological setting mirrored by the brecciated dolomite and fault-controlled gossans at Area 6. The presence of high-grade germanium and antimony further strengthens the comparison.
Ongoing Exploration and Next Steps
Golden Deeps is actively advancing exploration with trenching and diamond saw channel sampling underway to better define the thickness and grades of the mineralisation. Additional soil and rockchip sampling has been completed to explore extensions of the mineralised system beyond the initial grid.
To pinpoint high-grade sulphide bodies concealed beneath the surface gossans, the company plans to conduct induced polarisation (IP) geophysical surveys. These surveys will help identify chargeable and conductive sulphide targets within the mineralised corridors, guiding imminent drilling programs. Land access agreements and infrastructure are in place to facilitate rapid progression to drilling once targets are confirmed.
Strategic Position in a World-Class Metallogenic Belt
The Central Otavi Project forms part of Golden Deeps’ broader portfolio in the Otavi Mountain Land, a prolific metallogenic belt hosting multiple high-grade base and critical metals deposits. The company holds six exclusive prospecting licences covering over 440 square kilometers, including advanced prospects and resources for vanadium, copper, lead, zinc, silver, gallium, germanium, and antimony.
Golden Deeps’ recent acquisition and exploration success at Central Otavi underscore its strategy to unlock value from this underexplored region, leveraging geological analogies to major deposits like Tsumeb and applying modern exploration techniques.
Bottom Line?
Golden Deeps’ discovery at Central Otavi sets the stage for a potentially transformative drilling campaign that could redefine the company’s resource base and market prospects.
Questions in the middle?
- Will drilling confirm the continuity and true widths of the high-grade mineralisation beneath the gossans?
- How economically significant could the germanium and antimony by-products be in the project’s development?
- What timeline and scale will Golden Deeps adopt for its upcoming drilling and development phases?
