Australian gold explorer Wia Gold has identified a new deep high-grade mineralised target beneath the Central Zone of its Kokoseb Gold Project in Namibia, a discovery that could significantly extend the mine’s life and enhance its long-term development potential.
The company announced that recent drilling results from the project have revealed a previously unrecognised mineralised horizon approximately 700 metres below surface and about 350 metres beneath the current pit shell outlined in the project’s scoping study.
The discovery suggests that Kokoseb, already one of Namibia’s largest undeveloped gold deposits, may host substantial underground mining opportunities beyond its planned open-pit operation.
The new target was identified through a drilling programme comprising 29 diamond drill holes and 10 reverse circulation holes. Among the standout intercepts was 9 metres grading 10.64 grams of gold per tonne from a depth of 811 metres, including a higher-grade section of 4 metres grading 22.76 grams per tonne. Other significant results included 10.8 metres grading 5.43 grams per tonne and 15 metres grading 2.18 grams per tonne.
According to Wia Gold, the drilling campaign has extended high-grade mineralisation to approximately 580 metres below the current pit shell, while two major mineralised shoots remain open at depth. The results strengthen confidence in the continuity and scale of the mineralised system and support the potential for future underground resource growth.
The Kokoseb project, located in Namibia’s Erongo region, currently hosts a mineral resource of about 2.93 million ounces of gold. The project is being developed as a joint venture between Wia Gold and Namibia’s state-owned Epangelo Mining Company. A definitive feasibility study is expected to be completed during the second half of 2026.
The latest discovery comes as Wia accelerates development of the project following a successful A$92 million capital raise completed in May. The funds are earmarked for project development activities, permitting, early works programmes and continued exploration aimed at expanding the Kokoseb resource base.
Industry observers say the new deep target could further enhance Kokoseb’s economic prospects by providing a pathway to extend production beyond the currently envisioned open-pit mine plan.
The project is expected to produce an average of 177,000 ounces of gold annually during its first five years of operation and has an estimated mine life exceeding 11 years based on existing resources.
The discovery reinforces Kokoseb’s status as one of the most significant recent gold developments in Namibia and highlights the broader exploration potential of the region, which continues to attract investment from international mining companies seeking new gold resources.