Trigon Metals, a publicly-traded Canadian exploration and development entity, has reported significant copper and silver discoveries in its latest exploration campaign in Namibia. The campaign was conducted at Schlangental, which is a key prospect within Trigon’s wider Kombat property, situated approximately 15km east of its active mining licence (ML73B).
Trigon’s announcement last week came hot on the heels of the finalisation of a comprehensive exploration plan for the expansive Kombat property, spanning nearly 35km from Gross Otavi to the west and Schlangental in the east.
Trigon’s drilling at Schlangental is the first campaign testing mineralisation outside of the main Kombat mining license, on the Copper King Extension exploration prospect.
Surface mineralisation attracted Trigon geologists to the Schlangental area, where reports of historic drilling indicated that mineralisation continued at depth but no cores or detailed logs were available.
Of the planned 36 holes totalling 4000m, only two holes have been drilled to date, with both holes intercepting mineralisation at modest depths.
Jed Richardson, Trigon’s chief executive officer and executive chairman, commented; “The expanse of the Copper King Extension and specifically Schlangental has long been an area of interest for management and the exploration team. These results bolster our belief that Otavi Valley still has plenty of new copper to be discovered.”
“In 45 years of mining, about 12.5 million tonnes were mined at 2.6% copper plus associated silver, and we still have a measured and indicated resource of another 13.3 million tonnes at 2.2%. All told, that is over 25 million tonnes of combined tonnes over 2% copper, almost all contained in just 2.1km of strike length. We can now confirm that 15km to the east mineralisation continues, with copper showings throughout the whole 35km land package. Needless to say, we have a lot to be excited about.”
Meanwhile, the latest exploration results indicate that reported mineralisation was largely chalcocite (sulfide) and malachite (oxide) with associated higher-than-average silver, compared to the main mineral resource at the Kombat mine.
Given the encouraging start, Trigon will now drill deeper to confirm if the mineral pattern continues in the new area.
“The broader exploration plan for the Kombat property encompasses an array of methodologies to comprehensively understand its geological potential. Phase 1 involves data compilation in 2D and 3D, supplemented by the acquisition and processing of government data. Subsequent phases entail the interpretation of gathered data to construct a full 3D geological model, augmented by a high-resolution magnetic survey using drones to refine structural geology insights,” reads a Trigon statement.
The company continued that soil sampling initiatives, including auger drilling, will cover the entirety of the property.
“This integrated approach underscores Trigon’s commitment to thorough exploration methodologies, positioning the company for strategic advancement and value-creation across its extensive mineral assets. Follow-up holes are anticipated to be drilled as soon as the programme resumes,” Trigon stated.