Midas Minerals Limited has started reverse circulation (RC) drilling at its South Otavi Project in the Otjozondjupa Region.
Phase 1 drilling is designed to refine and confirm a 4.6-kilometre-long historic gold anomaly identified initially between 1997 and 2000.
At least 137 shallow holes, ranging from 12 to 30 metres, are planned.
Additional drilling may be added as geological data and soil sampling results are received.
The company is also targeting the Deutsche Erde copper-silver trend, a zone of oxide and sulphide mineralisation stretching over eight kilometres.
Eight deeper holes, up to 80 metres in depth, are planned to cut cross-sections through the 100-metre-wide mineralised corridor.
Managing Director Mark Calderwood said it’s exciting to undertake the first meaningful exploration of South Otavi’s robust gold anomaly since it was discovered around 2000.
“As I recall, there was almost no support for junior gold explorers. I expect that with superior assay methods, we will be able to refine the in-situ geochemical vectors for defining deeper drilling targets. I find the anomaly intriguing, given the geological similarities to the area that hosts the Otjikoto deposit, 25 kilometres to the south,” Calderwood said.
He added that the Deutsche Erde copper-silver trend extends for at least 8 kilometres.
“Though soil sampling is ongoing, the early drilling will help us understand the structural and lithological controls on mineralisation within the mineralised zone, which is about 100 metres wide at surface,” he said.
The drilling program will also provide training for junior field staff ahead of a larger multi-rig programme planned for the neighbouring Otavi Project later this year.
Midas Minerals signed an option agreement with Chorab Minerals and licensee Hans Hain Haraseb in May 2025 to acquire up to 80% of the South Otavi Project, located near the Otavi Project that the company is in the process of acquiring.
Under the terms of the agreement, Midas paid Chorab $20,000 in cash for a 12-month exclusive option to conduct exploration and acquire up to 80%.
The option period can be extended by an additional 12 months for a further $40,000 payment.
The company can elect to exercise the option and earn a 60% interest at any time before expiry by paying Chorab $40,000 in cash.
Historic exploration of the project defined significant untested gold and copper anomalies.
Due diligence work by Midas confirmed the presence of copper and verified the location of historic drilling with anomalous gold.
Current work includes soil sampling in areas of shallow cover alongside drilling to further define zones of in situ gold and copper mineralisation.
The South Otavi Project covers 195 square kilometres, with documented exploration carried out between 1967 and 1971 and 1997–2000.
It is located midway between the high-grade T-13 copper-silver and Deblin copper-gold-silver discoveries on the Otavi Project, which spans 1,776 square kilometres and is regarded as highly prospective for copper and precious metals.
