Kaoko Metals Expands Copper Drill Program to 15,000m as New 1,500m Surface Trend Emerges
Key Takeaways
- Kaoko Metals has expanded the Chalkos diamond drill program to at least 15,000m and mobilised a second rig, shifting from sequential to concurrent drilling across two active exploration fronts at Otniel and Donkey Hill.
- A new surface copper discovery at Donkey Hill East has extended the known mineralised trend by more than 700m, pushing the total mapped surface expression past 1,500m — more than double the 800m footprint reported in July 2026.
- Standout rock chip samples at Donkey Hill East include one exceeding the 50% Cu upper reporting limit of the analytical method, alongside additional samples at 15.8% Cu, 14.50% Cu, and 12.00% Cu — though these are selected surface results, not representative of average grade.
- Assay results for the first two completed Otniel holes — DDOT001 and DDOT002 — are expected within approximately 2–3 weeks, representing the next quantitative catalyst for the project.
- Orientation geophysical surveys including high-resolution drone magnetics and ground IP are scheduled to commence in coming months across the broader 400km² Chalkos landholding, targeting additional drill targets beyond the current two active fronts.
Chalkos drill program expanded to 15,000m as Donkey Hill East surface trend tops 1,500m
Kaoko Metals (ASX: KAO) has expanded its Chalkos Copper-Silver Project diamond drill program to at least 15,000m, driven by strong visual copper mineralisation from early holes at Otniel. In parallel, significant new surface copper mineralisation has been discovered at Donkey Hill East, extending the known mineralised trend by more than 700m to a total mapped surface expression exceeding 1,500m.
A second diamond drill rig has been mobilised, with drilling at Donkey Hill commencing this week, meaning two active exploration fronts are now running concurrently across the Chalkos Project. Assay results for holes DDOT001 and DDOT002 are anticipated within approximately 2–3 weeks.
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Otniel drilling at pace — five holes complete, sixth in progress
Five diamond drill holes (DDOT001–DDOT005) have been completed at Otniel, with DDOT006 currently in progress. All holes have been drilled to planned depth, and the expanded program is designed to test both the down-dip continuity and lateral extensions of the known mineralisation, progressively establishing the three-dimensional geometry of the mineralised system, including its orientation, thickness, structural controls, and continuity.
All samples from completed holes are being progressively submitted to ALS in South Africa, with laboratory turnaround expedited across the program. Assays for DDOT001 and DDOT002 are expected within approximately 2–3 weeks, representing the next material catalyst for investors waiting on quantitative grade data.
| Hole ID | Status | Azimuth (true) | Dip | End of Hole (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DDOT001 | Complete | 207.7° | -55° | 175.2 |
| DDOT002 | Complete | 230.7° | -65° | 180.0 |
| DDOT003 | Complete | 335.7° | -55° | 193.0 |
| DDOT004 | Complete | 160.0° | -55° | 163.4 |
| DDOT005 | Complete | 207.0° | -70° | 169.5 |
| DDOT006 | In progress | 230.7° | -80° | Ongoing |
Source: Appendix B, Kaoko Metals ASX Announcement, 24 September 2026
Managing Director’s perspective on Otniel progress
Gerard O’Donovan, Managing Director
“At Otniel, five holes have now been completed to evaluate the geometry and continuity of the mineralised system, with each hole utilised to refine subsequent drill targeting. We are also working closely with the laboratory to expedite assay results for all holes completed to date so that we can communicate technical results to the market as soon as possible…”
Donkey Hill East — what the new surface discovery means
What the surface find tells investors
Rock chip sampling involves collecting small pieces of rock directly from surface outcrops. When those samples return elevated copper grades, it tells geologists where mineralisation is breaking through at surface, which in turn informs where to direct drill holes beneath the ground.
It is important to note that rock chip results reported in this announcement are from selected surface samples. They are not representative of the average grade of mineralisation across the mapped footprint and should not be interpreted as indicative of subsurface grade or continuity.
That caveat noted, the character of the Donkey Hill East mineralisation is geologically significant. The presence of stockwork copper veining within laterally extensive quartz arkose units, relict sulphide textures now expressed as pitting and malachite following oxidation, and dioptase mineralisation infilling open spaces and joint planes collectively points to a broad structural and hydrothermal mineralising system operating across a wide area, rather than isolated surface occurrences.
The 1,500m surface footprint in numbers
The scale of the Donkey Hill East discovery, measured in surface expression alone, is a material development for the Chalkos Project:
- Prior mapped Donkey Hill footprint: approximately 800m (as at the July 2026 announcement)
- New mineralisation at Donkey Hill East extends the known trend by more than 700m
- Total mapped surface expression now exceeds 1,500m
- Two mineralised trends traced: 600m and 400m respectively
- Headline rock chip grade: sample Z2516 returned >50% Cu, exceeding the upper reporting limit of the ME-ICP61a analytical method (this is a reporting limit, not a confirmed grade of exactly 50%)
- Additional standout samples: Z2519 (15.8% Cu), Z2517 (14.50% Cu), Z2510 (12.00% Cu)
Gerard O’Donovan, Managing Director
“The discovery of significant additional surface copper mineralisation at Donkey Hill East is a particularly encouraging development as it expands the potential scale of the mineralised system. This development reinforces Donkey Hill as an important exploration target within the broader Chalkos Project…”
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Two rigs, two fronts — what comes next for Kaoko
Kaoko has shifted from sequential to concurrent exploration at Otniel and Donkey Hill, materially compressing the overall exploration timeline for the Chalkos Project. Donkey Hill is located approximately 2.2km from Otniel, with both prospects forming part of the broader mineralised trend being systematically explored across Kaoko’s approximately 400km² (40,000 ha) Chalkos landholding.
Looking further ahead, the company intends to commence orientation geophysical surveys across the Chalkos Project, comprising high-resolution drone-based magnetics and ground induced polarisation (IP) surveys scheduled to commence in coming months. These surveys are designed to define the geophysical signature of known mineralisation and identify additional drill targets across the broader project area. The Managing Director and Chief Geologist are travelling to Namibia in late September to oversee this expanded phase of activity.
The immediate work programme across Chalkos includes:
- Continue expanded diamond drill program at Otniel, targeting at least 15,000m total
- Progressive down-dip and lateral step-out drilling to define mineralised system geometry
- Expedited submission and laboratory analysis of completed Otniel drill holes
- Receipt and reporting of DDOT001 and DDOT002 assays, anticipated in approximately 2–3 weeks
- Continued diamond drilling at Donkey Hill and assessment of Donkey Hill East mineralisation
- Orientation geophysical surveys (drone magnetics and ground IP) commencing in coming months
- Ongoing geological mapping, surface sampling, and structural interpretation across Chalkos
With two rigs active, systematic step-out drilling under way at Otniel, a compelling new surface discovery at Donkey Hill East, and geophysical target generation planned across the wider project, Kaoko is advancing what is emerging as a significant copper system within a largely underexplored district.
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