Krakatoa Advances Zopkhito Drilling to Secure JORC Resource Upgrade
Krakatoa Resources has launched its second underground drilling season at the Zopkhito Antimony-Gold Project, aiming to convert a foreign resource estimate into a JORC-compliant Mineral Resource Estimate while pushing early mine development.
- Second season of underground core drilling underway
- Focus on resource definition, metallurgical optimisation, and mining studies
- Zopkhito holds 225Kt antimony and 815,000 ounces gold foreign resource estimate
- Mining license valid until 2042 with exclusive 80% acquisition option
- Bulk sampling and environmental studies to support project advancement
Second Drilling Season Targets JORC Resource Upgrade
Krakatoa Resources (ASX:KTA) has kicked off its second underground drilling campaign at the Zopkhito Antimony-Gold Project in Georgia, aiming to transform its existing foreign resource estimate into a JORC 2012 standard Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE). The 2026 program builds on last year’s high-grade results and focuses on resource definition drilling, metallurgical optimisation, and preliminary mining studies designed to underpin early mine development.
The project, covering 1,779 hectares in the Racha region, is held under a mining license valid until March 2042. Krakatoa currently holds an exclusive option to acquire up to an 80% interest in Zopkhito, positioning it to become a significant player in a strategically critical mineral space.
High-Grade Antimony and Gold Confirmed in Historical Workings
Last year’s drilling validated the high-grade nature of both antimony and gold mineralisation within extensive historical underground workings, which include approximately 27 kilometres of exploration adits. The 2025 program intersected mineralisation across multiple target zones, confirming the geological model and the potential for resource expansion.
The foreign resource estimate currently stands at 225,000 tonnes at 11.6% antimony (equating to 26,000 tonnes of contained antimony) and 7.1 million tonnes at 3.7 grams per tonne gold (approximately 815,000 ounces). However, this estimate is not yet JORC compliant, and further drilling and evaluation are required to upgrade the confidence level of these figures.
Advancing Metallurgical Studies and Bulk Sampling
Krakatoa plans to commence underground panel sampling and bulk sampling in the coming weeks, complementing ongoing metallurgical optimisation test work. These efforts are critical to refining processing methods and improving recovery rates ahead of potential mining operations.
Concurrent environmental baseline studies and permitting activities are underway to support future project advancement. These steps indicate a methodical approach to advancing Zopkhito from exploration towards development while managing regulatory and environmental responsibilities.
Strategic Importance of Antimony in Europe
With antimony increasingly recognised as a strategically critical mineral, Zopkhito’s location in Georgia offers potential as a rare European source. Krakatoa’s CEO Mark Major highlighted the project’s potential to become a significant supplier of high-grade antimony and gold, aligning with broader market demand for critical minerals.
The company’s 2026 work program is designed not only to upgrade the resource estimate but also to lay the groundwork for early mining studies, signalling a busy year ahead for Krakatoa as it seeks to unlock value from Zopkhito.
Bottom Line?
Krakatoa’s 2026 drilling and sampling campaign at Zopkhito aims to convert promising foreign resource estimates into a JORC-compliant resource, setting the stage for early mining studies and potential European antimony supply.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the 2026 drilling confirm sufficient resource upgrades to justify a JORC-compliant Mineral Resource Estimate?
- How will metallurgical optimisation impact the economic viability of the Zopkhito Project?
- What timeline can investors expect for progressing from resource definition to potential mining operations?
