Golden Deeps plans to launch the first phase of drilling at its Graceland Critical Metals Prospect in Namibia’s Otavi Mountain Land in early 2026, once results from an Induced Polarisation–Resistivity (IP) survey have defined drill targets.
The geophysical programme, to be carried out by Terratec within the next two weeks, will test down to depths of 300 metres across a 2km-long, 1km-wide mineralised corridor where trenching and channel sampling have already exposed multiple zones of rich copper mineralisation.
The survey results are expected by late Q4 2025, with inversion modelling to be integrated with existing geochemical datasets and 3D topography.
The combined work will generate three-dimensional drill targets aimed at “Tsumeb-style” Cu-Ag-Zn-Pb-Ge sulphide systems, a reference to the legendary Tsumeb deposit nearby, which produced 27 Mt grading 4.3% Cu, 10% Pb, 3.5% Zn, 95 g/t Ag, and 50 g/t Ge over its mine life.
Golden Deeps secured its Namibian footprint in 2017 when it acquired Huab Energy (Pty) Ltd. and Metalex Mining & Exploration (Pty) Ltd., which together hold six Exclusive Prospecting Licences (EPLs) in the Otavi Mountain Land.
This acquisition gave the company control of approximately 440 km² of highly prospective ground, including known deposits and historical mines such as Abenab and Nosib.
Since then, systematic exploration has focused on reopening these overlooked assets and identifying new “Tsumeb-style” systems, with Graceland emerging as one of the most promising targets.
Recent fieldwork at Graceland has reinforced its potential.
At the eastern end of the corridor (Gossan 1 East), five new channels were cut across a zone that previously delivered spectacular rock-chip assays, including 47.3% Cu with 7,792 g/t Ag, and 13.8% Cu with 171 g/t Ag and 224 g/t Ge.
The latest channels revealed copper mineralisation across 3–5m widths, with semi-massive patches and veins of malachite and chalcocite derived from primary sulphides.
At the far western end (the newly mapped Gossan 1 West Extension), four channels, spaced 20 meters apart, were cut across a 100-meter-long outcrop.
These showed copper mineralisation across widths of 3–6m, with malachite, chalcocite, and minor native copper. All samples were prepared at Intertek’s Namibian facility and pulped for multi-element analysis in Perth.
Earlier work at Gossan 1 and Gossan 2 had already demonstrated world-class grades.
Highlights included up to 38.3% Cu, 1,130 g/t Ag and 25.9% Zn from Gossan 1, and up to 32.4% Zn, 34.2% Pb, 2,473 g/t Ag and 97 g/t Ge from Gossan 2.
Together, these results highlight the corridor’s exceptional potential across multiple metals.
Chief executive Jon Dugdale said the exploration team in Namibia is making rapid progress.
“Channel sampling has now been completed in four zones within the extensively mineralised 2 km long and 1 km wide corridor at Graceland. We look forward to the results with great anticipation, which will provide us with an understanding of the widths and strike continuity of these exceptionally high-grade mineralised zones.”
He also pointed out the project’s strategic alignment with global supply chains. “Significantly, the addition of copper, silver, and lead to the US Critical Minerals list would mean that all of the high-grade elements at the Graceland Prospect, including copper, silver, zinc, lead and germanium, as well as anomalous antimony, are classified as critical, high-demand, metals of key importance to high-technology and renewable energy industries.”
Beyond Graceland, Golden Deeps’ Central Otavi Project includes a pipeline of advanced prospects and defined resources: the Border Zn-Pb-Ag resource, the Driehoek Zn-Pb-Ag and Kaskara V-Cu-Pb-Zn-Ge prospects, and the established resources at Abenab (vanadium-lead-zinc), Nosib (vanadium-copper-lead-silver with gallium) and Khusib Springs (silver-copper).
Together, these reflect the value of the 2017 acquisitions that brought the Otavi licences under Golden Deeps’ control.
With trenching, rock-chip and channel results already confirming high-grade mineralisation, and the IP survey poised to deliver drill-ready targets before year-end, Golden Deeps is closing in on its next significant milestone.
By early 2026, the company expects to be drilling for the first time at Graceland, in a campaign that could revive the Otavi Mountain Land’s reputation as one of Africa’s great polymetallic provinces.
