Krakatoa Doubles Down with Second Drill Rig at Zopkhito to Unlock JORC Resource

Accelerating Exploration at Zopkhito

Krakatoa Resources Limited (ASX – KTA) has announced the commencement of a second drill rig at its Zopkhito Sb-Au Project in Georgia, marking a significant step forward in its maiden drilling campaign. The addition of this rig aims to ramp up the planned 7,000 to 10,000 metres of drilling, targeting mineralised antimony and gold veins identified between historical adits developed during Soviet-era exploration.

The Zopkhito project, located in the Caucasus region of Eastern Europe, 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 antimony and over 815,000 ounces of gold. However, these estimates are not yet compliant with the JORC Code 2012, which is the industry standard for reporting mineral resources in Australia.

Bridging Historical Data with Modern Standards

Krakatoa’s exploration strategy focuses on systematically testing the mineralised zones between the adits, where historical sampling has indicated high-grade mineralisation. By integrating Soviet-era data with more recent sampling and modern geological modelling software, the company has identified priority drill targets to confirm and potentially expand the known mineralisation.

CEO Mark Major highlighted the strategic importance of operating two rigs simultaneously, stating that this approach will accelerate the conversion of the foreign resource estimate into a JORC-compliant Mineral Resource. This conversion is crucial for attracting investment and advancing the project towards development.

Market Context and Strategic Significance

The timing of this drilling campaign aligns with record prices for both gold and antimony. Antimony, in particular, is in structural deficit globally, driven by growing demand from renewable energy technologies and defence applications. Zopkhito’s location in Europe adds geopolitical significance to its resource potential, offering a strategically important supply source for these critical minerals.

While the drilling results and resource conversion remain pending, the program lays the groundwork for future resource upgrades and potential project development. Krakatoa’s methodical approach to validating and expanding the resource base could position Zopkhito as a key player in the antimony and gold markets.

Looking Ahead

As drilling progresses, investors and analysts will be watching closely for assay results that confirm the extent and grade of mineralisation. The success of this campaign will influence Krakatoa’s valuation and its ability to secure further funding or partnerships. The company’s transparent communication and steady operational progress bode well for maintaining market confidence during this critical phase.