Supply Chain Shift Looms as Krakatoa Advances European Critical Minerals Project
Krakatoa Resources is rapidly advancing exploration at its Zopkhito Gold and Antimony Project in Georgia, with underground core sampling and a two-rig diamond drilling program targeting a maiden JORC-compliant resource. The project’s strategic location offers a rare European source of critical minerals amid global supply concerns.
- Underground core sampling to validate high-grade antimony and gold veins
- Two diamond rigs conducting 7,000–10,000 metre maiden drilling campaign
- Historic foreign resource estimate targeted for JORC conversion
- Zopkhito positioned as a strategic European critical minerals asset
- Assay results expected in late Q4 2025, promising strong near-term news flow
Exploration Momentum Builds at Zopkhito
Krakatoa Resources Limited (ASX – KTA) has announced significant progress at its Zopkhito Gold and Antimony Project in Georgia, Eastern Europe. The company is poised to commence underground core sampling this week, aiming to collect JORC-compliant samples from high-grade antimony veins and gold-rich alteration zones. This step is critical to validating historical data and advancing the project toward a maiden JORC Mineral Resource.
The underground sampling will focus on the No. 6 antimony vein and surrounding footwall and hanging-wall zones, where previous channel samples have returned impressive grades, including up to 47.9% antimony and notable gold values. These results underscore the potential of the stibnite-rich quartz veins that have been extensively mapped underground, confirming their continuity and guiding ongoing drilling efforts.
Two-Rig Drilling Campaign Accelerates Resource Definition
Krakatoa’s maiden diamond drilling program is well underway, with two rigs operating around the clock to systematically test multiple high-priority targets between historical adits. This 7,000 to 10,000 metre campaign represents the first modern, large-scale drill testing of the deposit, designed to confirm and expand a historical foreign resource estimate of 225,000 tonnes at 11.6% antimony and 7.1 million tonnes at 3.7 grams per tonne gold.
The dual-rig approach has accelerated progress, with initial holes logged and samples en route to a laboratory in Turkey for assay. The results, expected in late Q4 2025, will be pivotal in converting the historical foreign resource into a JORC-compliant Mineral Resource, a key milestone for the company and its investors.
Strategic Importance in a Critical Minerals Landscape
Antimony is classified as a critical mineral by the European Union and the United States due to its essential role in energy storage, defence, and advanced materials. With approximately 90% of global supply controlled by China, Zopkhito’s location within Europe’s critical minerals corridor offers a rare opportunity to diversify supply chains and reduce geopolitical risk.
Georgia’s established mining framework, infrastructure, and trade agreements further enhance the project’s strategic value. Combined with the gold potential, Zopkhito stands out as a dual-commodity asset with significant upside and geopolitical relevance.
Looking Ahead
Krakatoa’s CEO Mark Major expressed confidence in the project’s potential, highlighting the importance of underground mapping and sampling in validating historical data and building a robust technical foundation. The company is focused on delivering a steady stream of operational updates and assay results through late 2025, setting the stage for resource definition and future growth.
As Krakatoa advances its drilling and sampling programs, the market will be watching closely for assay results and the eventual declaration of a JORC-compliant resource, which could position Zopkhito as a cornerstone project in Europe’s critical minerals sector.
Bottom Line?
Krakatoa’s accelerated exploration at Zopkhito sets the stage for a pivotal resource milestone with broad strategic implications.
Questions in the middle?
- Will assay results confirm or exceed historical high-grade estimates?
- How quickly can Krakatoa convert the foreign resource into a JORC-compliant Mineral Resource?
- What impact will Zopkhito have on European critical mineral supply chains if development proceeds?
