Belararox Accelerates Kalahari Copper Drilling with Early Geological Wins
Belararox Limited advances its maiden drilling campaign at Botswana’s Kalahari Copper Project, intersecting key geological contacts earlier than expected and optimizing operations with additional rigs.
- Maiden drilling campaign underway at Kareng West tenement
- DKF-NPF contact intersected at shallower depths than anticipated
- Additional rigs mobilized to expedite drilling and improve sample quality
- Four of six target zones being tested along strike of major copper projects
- Assay results pending from ALS Johannesburg laboratory
Drilling Progress and Geological Insights
Belararox Limited (ASX – BRX) is making significant strides in its maiden drilling campaign at the Kalahari Copper Project (KCP) in Botswana’s North-West Province. The program, focused on the Kareng West tenement, aims to delineate the critical contact zone between the D’Kar Formation and the Ngwako Pan Formation (DKF-NPF), a geological interface known to host copper mineralisation within the Kalahari Copper Belt.
Early results have been encouraging, with the first drill hole (BRX0085-007) intersecting the DKF-NPF contact at depths between 150 and 200 metres; shallower than the originally modelled 250 to 300 metres. This finding lends credence to the geophysics-driven exploration model guiding the campaign, suggesting that the team is effectively targeting prospective mineralised zones.
Operational Enhancements and Program Optimization
Responding to initial challenges, Belararox has optimized its drilling approach by mobilizing an additional reverse circulation (RC) rig alongside the existing diamond rig. This strategic move, supported by their contractor Discovery Drilling Africa, allows for hammer drilling and casing through the challenging Kalahari Sands, followed by RC drilling through the D’Kar Formation and diamond core tails. The revised methodology is designed to enhance sample quality and drilling efficiency without significant cost increases.
Currently, four of six identified target zones are being tested, with two holes planned per target. The targets are strategically located along strike from Cobre Limited’s Kitlanya West and Ngami Copper Projects, which have attracted a substantial earn-in investment from BHP, underscoring the region’s prospectivity.
Next Steps and Market Implications
Samples from the initial holes are undergoing portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) screening, with anomalous zones dispatched to ALS Johannesburg for detailed assay analysis. The program remains on track for completion by early November, with diamond drilling tails planned to extend holes by 25 to 50 metres to further refine geological understanding.
Technical Advisor Dr Quinton Hills highlighted the significance of intersecting the DKF-NPF contact at shallower depths, reinforcing confidence in the exploration model and the potential for discovering copper mineralisation in this underexplored region.
Belararox’s progress at KCP not only advances its copper exploration ambitions but also positions the company to capitalize on the growing demand for copper driven by technology and renewable energy markets.
Bottom Line?
As assay results loom, Belararox’s drilling momentum could soon translate into a pivotal resource discovery.
Questions in the middle?
- Will assay results confirm economically viable copper mineralisation at the DKF-NPF contact?
- How will BHP’s earn-in activities with JV partner Cobre influence exploration dynamics in the region?
- What are the implications of shallower-than-expected contact depths for future drilling and resource estimates?
