Ongwe Minerals plans a geophysical programme over its K17 copper-gold prospect near Khorixas in the second half of 2026 to define subsurface mineralisation and generate targets for a planned 2,500-metre diamond drilling programme next year.
The company describes K17 as a surface copper-gold discovery covering approximately 12 km², while a newly filed independent NI 43-101 technical report identifies highly anomalous copper and gold rock-chip results across a broader area measuring about six kilometres by six kilometres, with the mineralisation disappearing beneath cover to the north.
The work forms part of a two-phase, C$4.3 million exploration programme recommended by The MSA Group for Ongwe’s wider Khorixas Gold Project, with K17 emerging as a separate copper-gold-silver exploration target alongside the more advanced Belmont gold prospect.
K17 has not yet been drill tested and has no mineral resource or reserve estimate, so the planned geophysical work is an important step toward determining whether the extensive surface anomalies continue at depth.
The MSA Group has recommended that Ongwe spend C$900 000 on the first phase of work at K17 during the third and fourth quarters of 2026.
The programme would include regional and detailed magnetic, induced-polarisation and gravity surveys, followed by scout diamond drilling to obtain structural and mineralogical information from fresh rock.
Gravity surveys are intended to investigate whether an intrusion or extensive alteration system occurs beneath K17, while induced polarisation would target possible disseminated mineralisation at depth. Shallow bedrock sampling is also recommended north of the prospect, where alluvial and scree cover obscures the continuation of the mineralised zones.
The company will integrate the results with geological mapping and geochemical data to rank targets and determine drill-hole locations for the next phase of exploration.
If the first-phase results justify further work, Ongwe plans to undertake about 2,500 metres of diamond drilling at K17 during the first and second quarters of 2027.
The drilling would test targets generated from geophysics, geochemistry and mapping and seek to establish the geometry, continuity and grade of the mineralised system at depth and along strike.
Ongwe already has geophysical evidence indicating structures beneath the surface copper-gold anomalies.
A two-phase magnetotelluric survey undertaken in 2024 included a 51km regional profile using 19 ground stations and a more detailed 22-station survey covering approximately 30 km² around K17.
The regional survey identified a deep conductive feature between approximately 15km and 30km below surface that is aligned with K17, while the detailed survey detected several shallower conductors beneath the known surface mineralisation.
The most prominent of these were interpreted as extending from about 100 metres below surface to depths approaching five kilometres.
Ongwe subsequently integrated drone magnetic data, geological mapping, satellite imagery and rock-chip results and interpreted the copper-gold mineralisation as being structurally controlled, with mineralisation concentrated around fold closures and shear zones.
The new geophysical programme is intended to refine those interpretations and identify targets that can be tested by drilling.
K17 forms part of Ongwe’s wider Khorixas Gold Project immediately south and east of Khorixas, comprising seven granted Exclusive Prospecting Licences and one pending EPL application covering 134,387 hectares, or approximately 1,344 km².
Ongwe and its predecessor companies have explored the area since 2021 through geological mapping, rock-chip sampling, soil and calcrete sampling, trenching, shallow percussion drilling, limited diamond drilling and several geophysical techniques.
Historical exploration in the area included work by Tsumeb Corporation between 1980 and 1986, principally targeting base metals, followed by reconnaissance exploration by Anglo American Prospecting Services Namibia between 1987 and 1992 for base metals and gold. No historical mineral resource, mineral reserve or production has been recorded within the Khorixas project area.
The project later became part of Great Quest Fertilizer’s portfolio after the company announced plans in December 2023 to acquire up to 70% of Belmont Mineral Exploration. Great Quest changed its name to Great Quest Gold in July 2024 before a reverse takeover by Lotus Gold Corporation, approved by the TSX Venture Exchange in February 2026, resulted in the company becoming Ongwe Minerals Inc.
The C$4.3 million exploration programme recommended in the new technical report covers both K17 and Belmont, with the latter remaining the project’s more advanced gold target while Ongwe determines whether the large surface copper-gold footprint at K17 can be converted into drill-defined mineralisation.
