News / National
Promising gold discovery near Bulawayo
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London-listed Kavango Resources Plc has announced the discovery of a series of significant gold intercepts at its flagship Hillside Gold Project near Bulawayo, further boosting Zimbabwe's profile as an attractive destination for mining investment.
The latest results emerged from diamond drilling at the Steenbok Target - formerly Prospect 4 - where Kavango completed 3,232 metres of drilling. Of the eight holes drilled, seven intersected promising gold mineralisation, with 69 significant intersections recorded using a 0.7g/t Au cut-off grade. Notably, 41 of those exceeded 1g/t, suggesting the potential for a commercially viable deposit.
"Kavango Resources plc, the Southern Africa-focused metals exploration and gold production company, is pleased to announce further significant gold intercepts at the Prospect 4 Steenbok Target in the Hillside Project," the company said in a statement.
The Hillside Project spans 44 gold claims across 503 hectares, and is currently the company's key focus in Zimbabwe. The latest findings, supported by structural geological studies from Murgana Geological Consulting Limited, confirm that mineralisation is being driven by a network of shear zones—natural structures known to concentrate gold through hydrothermal fluid movement.
"Based on the extent of the claims, geological mapping, and the structural review, the company believes the strike length at Steenbok is up to 1.5km long and remains open in both directions," Kavango added.
Chief executive Ben Turney described the results as "highly encouraging," noting that the drill campaign successfully confirmed gold mineralisation along the targeted 400-metre strike zone.
"With strong gold grades encountered in six of the seven holes we drilled and confirmation of the structural controls, we are making real progress in building a robust geological model," said Turney. "The comparison with gold systems seen in Australia is exciting and validates our ongoing strategy."
Turney confirmed that Kavango will proceed with geotechnical drilling to assess rock stability and support potential development planning.
The announcement is a timely boost for Zimbabwe's mining industry, where the government is targeting 40 tonnes of gold production in 2025, up from a record 36.48 tonnes in 2024. Last year, small-scale miners accounted for 23.75 tonnes, highlighting the critical role of both artisanal and formal operations in achieving national targets.
Kavango Resources, which also holds interests in the Nara Gold Project and the Leopard Project, both at early exploration stages, is positioning itself as a significant player in Zimbabwe's resurgent gold sector.
With the Hillside results now guiding next steps, industry observers say the development could mark a turning point for the region's economic prospects - especially if the Steenbok Target proves commercially viable.
The latest results emerged from diamond drilling at the Steenbok Target - formerly Prospect 4 - where Kavango completed 3,232 metres of drilling. Of the eight holes drilled, seven intersected promising gold mineralisation, with 69 significant intersections recorded using a 0.7g/t Au cut-off grade. Notably, 41 of those exceeded 1g/t, suggesting the potential for a commercially viable deposit.
"Kavango Resources plc, the Southern Africa-focused metals exploration and gold production company, is pleased to announce further significant gold intercepts at the Prospect 4 Steenbok Target in the Hillside Project," the company said in a statement.
The Hillside Project spans 44 gold claims across 503 hectares, and is currently the company's key focus in Zimbabwe. The latest findings, supported by structural geological studies from Murgana Geological Consulting Limited, confirm that mineralisation is being driven by a network of shear zones—natural structures known to concentrate gold through hydrothermal fluid movement.
"Based on the extent of the claims, geological mapping, and the structural review, the company believes the strike length at Steenbok is up to 1.5km long and remains open in both directions," Kavango added.
Chief executive Ben Turney described the results as "highly encouraging," noting that the drill campaign successfully confirmed gold mineralisation along the targeted 400-metre strike zone.
"With strong gold grades encountered in six of the seven holes we drilled and confirmation of the structural controls, we are making real progress in building a robust geological model," said Turney. "The comparison with gold systems seen in Australia is exciting and validates our ongoing strategy."
Turney confirmed that Kavango will proceed with geotechnical drilling to assess rock stability and support potential development planning.
The announcement is a timely boost for Zimbabwe's mining industry, where the government is targeting 40 tonnes of gold production in 2025, up from a record 36.48 tonnes in 2024. Last year, small-scale miners accounted for 23.75 tonnes, highlighting the critical role of both artisanal and formal operations in achieving national targets.
Kavango Resources, which also holds interests in the Nara Gold Project and the Leopard Project, both at early exploration stages, is positioning itself as a significant player in Zimbabwe's resurgent gold sector.
With the Hillside results now guiding next steps, industry observers say the development could mark a turning point for the region's economic prospects - especially if the Steenbok Target proves commercially viable.
Source - The Herald
