Zopkhito’s Option Extension Signals Delays but Boosts Resource Confidence
Krakatoa Resources has reported strong visual antimony mineralisation from underground and surface drilling at its Zopkhito project in Georgia, extending the option period by 12 months to advance resource definition and transaction milestones.
- 16 of 18 underground adit holes intersect visible antimony mineralisation
- 12 of 15 surface diamond drill holes confirm antimony-rich veins
- Option period extended by 12 months for further exploration and transaction progress
- Assay results expected late 2025 to early 2026 to support maiden JORC Resource
- Zopkhito positioned as a strategic high-grade antimony-gold asset in Europe’s critical minerals corridor
Strong Visual Mineralisation Validates Historical Data
Krakatoa Resources Limited (ASX, KTA) has announced encouraging results from its recent drilling campaign at the Zopkhito Antimony-Gold Project in Georgia. The underground adit drilling program intersected visible stibnite (antimony sulphide) in 16 out of 18 holes, while surface diamond drilling confirmed antimony-rich veins in 12 of 15 holes. These visual intersections provide a promising indication of high-grade mineralisation, reinforcing the project's potential as a significant source of critical minerals.
Strategic Extension and Upcoming Assays
The company has secured a 12-month extension to its option period, allowing additional time to complete resource definition drilling and progress transaction milestones. This extension is particularly timely as assay results from the recent drilling are expected between late December 2025 and January 2026. These assays will be pivotal in validating historical foreign resource estimates and underpinning Krakatoa’s maiden JORC-compliant Mineral Resource, a key milestone for advancing the project.
Zopkhito’s Role in Europe’s Critical Minerals Supply Chain
Located in Georgia, at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, Zopkhito sits within a critical minerals corridor increasingly important to Western markets. Antimony is classified as a critical mineral by the European Union and the United States due to its applications in energy storage, advanced materials, and defence. With global supply heavily concentrated in China, Zopkhito offers a rare opportunity for secure, Western-aligned sourcing of high-grade antimony and associated gold.
Looking Ahead, 2026 Exploration and Resource Growth
Building on the successful completion of the first drilling phase, Krakatoa plans to recommence drilling in the second quarter of 2026 with an extended drilling window. The upcoming program aims to expand the mineralisation footprint, test extensions between known veins, and refine target definitions based on pending assay data. These efforts are designed to lay the groundwork for resource expansion and eventual staged mining production options.
Balancing Optimism with Caution
While visual mineralisation is a positive indicator, Krakatoa cautions that these observations are not substitutes for laboratory assays, which will ultimately determine the economic viability of the mineralisation. Additionally, the historical resource estimates referenced are foreign and require conversion to JORC standards to meet market expectations. The forthcoming assay results and maiden JORC Resource will be critical in confirming the project's true potential.
Bottom Line?
As Krakatoa awaits assay results and advances its maiden JORC Resource, Zopkhito stands poised to become a cornerstone in Europe’s critical minerals landscape.
Questions in the middle?
- What will the assay results reveal about the true grades of antimony and gold at Zopkhito?
- How will the extended option period influence potential transaction terms or partnerships?
- What are the implications of Zopkhito’s development for Western supply chain diversification away from China?
