Krakatoa Accelerates 2026 Drilling at Zopkhito Ahead of JORC Resource Milestone
Krakatoa Resources is pushing its 2026 drilling program at the Zopkhito Antimony-Gold Project two months ahead of schedule, advancing toward a maiden JORC-compliant mineral resource estimate with multiple technical workstreams underway.
- 2026 drilling program running two months ahead
- Four surface and 13 underground drill holes completed
- Initial core samples en route to Türkiye laboratory
- Metallurgical bulk sampling to start soon
- Geological and mining consultants review supports JORC resource upgrade
Drilling Program Surges Ahead of Schedule
Krakatoa Resources Limited (ASX:KTA) is making headway at its Zopkhito Antimony-Gold Project in Georgia, with the 2026 resource definition drilling program running two months ahead of the 2025 schedule. To date, the company has completed four surface diamond drill holes alongside 13 underground holes, with surface drilling now operating on a 24-hour, two-shift roster. Underground drilling is set to follow suit shortly, ramping up activity to round-the-clock operations.
Core Sampling and Consultant Reviews Bolster Geological Understanding
Initial drill core from both surface and underground holes has been logged and sampled, with the first batch of assays currently being transported to a laboratory in Türkiye for analysis. Independent mining and JORC consultants from the UK have recently conducted detailed on-site inspections of the drill core, historical datasets, and underground workings. Their geological review is integral to refining the resource modelling and planning the next phases of drilling and mine development studies.
Metallurgical Testing and Technical Studies Underway
Complementing the drilling progress, Krakatoa is preparing to commence metallurgical bulk sampling in the coming weeks. These samples will encompass both the main antimony veins and the gold-rich alteration zones within the footwall and hanging wall of selected veins. The metallurgical programs, alongside ongoing technical studies, are designed to underpin the conversion of the current foreign resource estimate into a maiden JORC-compliant mineral resource estimate.
Project Scale and Strategic Importance
The Zopkhito Project spans 1,779 hectares under a mining license valid until March 2042, with Krakatoa holding an exclusive option to acquire up to an 80% interest. Historical data indicate a foreign resource estimate of 225,000 tonnes at 11.6% antimony, containing approximately 26,000 tonnes of antimony, alongside 7.1 million tonnes grading 3.7 grams per tonne gold, equating to over 815,000 ounces. While these figures are yet to be JORC-compliant, the ongoing drilling and technical work aim to validate and upgrade these resources. This effort aligns with Europe's broader drive toward securing diversified critical mineral supply chains.
Environmental and Exploration Activities Progress
Environmental baseline studies and permitting processes continue in parallel with drilling and metallurgical work, supporting future project advancement. Krakatoa is also reviewing historical exploration datasets beyond the current resource footprint to identify new drill targets, indicating a longer-term strategy to expand resource potential across the broader license area.
Bottom Line?
With drilling ahead of schedule and multiple technical workstreams advancing, Krakatoa is well-positioned to deliver a JORC-compliant resource estimate for Zopkhito later this year.
Questions in the middle?
- How will initial assay results influence the timing and scale of the maiden JORC resource?
- What metallurgical recoveries can be expected from upcoming bulk sampling programs?
- Could further exploration beyond the current 17 known veins materially expand resource estimates?
