Golden Deeps is charging up for high-powered geophysical surveys at its Graceland prospect in Namibia to uncover high-grade copper, silver and germanium-rich sulphide deposits lurking at depth.
The surveys will follow up recent mouthwatering rock chip results from the broader Central Otavi project, with freshly discovered gossans throwing up bonanza grades up to 50.6 per cent copper, a staggering 7792 grams per tonne (g/t) silver and 224g/t germanium.
The junior explorer is hoping its deeply penetrating surveys can reveal a potential Tsumeb-style polymetallic jackpot – akin to the legendary Namibian polymetallic mine just 20 kilometres away.
Golden Deeps has tapped global provider Terratec to spearhead its induced polarisation (IP) survey, which is set to kick off within three weeks.
“We have already identified several drilling options for testing both shallow and deeper targets, which should enable us to drill-test these very exciting target zones within the current field season,” Golden Deeps Limited chief executive officer Jon Dugdale
The surveys are designed to probe both near-surface and deeper sulphide targets down to 300 metres, sweeping across a priority 2km-long stretch at Graceland, aiming to upgrade the company’s newest 100m by 20m emerging gossan zone in Graceland’s far western reaches.
Laden with copper-rich outcrops, the prospect is now under a channel sampling knife. Golden Deeps expects these results to dovetail with its IP data to pinpoint drill-ready targets for a maiden drilling campaign at the project.
Golden Deeps Limited chief executive officer Jon Dugdale said: “The results of the channel sampling and the initial outcomes of the IP survey will be available within the next four to six weeks. We have already identified several drilling options for testing both shallow and deeper targets, which should enable us to drill-test these very exciting target zones within the current field season.”
Graceland isn’t a one-trick pony: The prospect has already delivered a string of eye-popping potential targets. At Gossan 1, rock chips have clocked up to 38.3 per cent copper, 35.4 per cent zinc and 1130g/t silver, while its G1 East area stunned with a monster 7792g/t silver, 47.3 per cent copper and 224g/t germanium. Not to be outdone, Gossan 2 dished up juicy 3179g/t silver, 32.4 per cent zinc, 29 per cent copper hits.
The grades echo the legendary Tsumeb mine, which churned out a massive 27 million tonnes of material grading 4.3 per cent copper, 13.5 per cent zinc-lead, 95g/t silver and 50g/t germanium.
Golden Deeps says the parallels should not be ignored, with historical artisanal workings dotting Graceland’s gossans, much like those that led to Tsumeb’s discovery in the early 1900s.
With China’s export bans sending germanium prices soaring past US$3 million per tonne (A$4.58 million), Golden Deeps’ focus on critical metals positions it squarely in the global supply chain spotlight. The Otavi mountain land is not only home to one of the world’s richest sulphide mines in Tsumeb, but home to multiple processing facilities offering fast-tracked development.
The company’s central Otavi project spans 440 square kilometres of prime Namibian mining territory. Graceland now sits atop the priority list at the project alongside the Nosib gallium discovery, 20km north.
The project has some intricate geology and the defining features of a world-class polymetallic system. Golden Deeps says the rigs are on standby, as it now zeroes in on its maiden drilling campaign.
It could even drill into what could be one of the most electrifying discoveries in Namibia – a global tier 1 mining jurisdiction, which is home to many of Africa’s premier mining operations.