The latest Investing Matters Podcast with Jean Roche, Co-Manager of Schroder UK Mid Cap Investment Trust has just been released. Listen here.
Did KAV run XRF over the 100m section of core last year as I'd be surprised if they didn't unless they were just focussed on carbonatites? Also wondering how much core was actually assayed? I can't tell whether they've got a lot more gold in the 100m section than first thought because they weren't looking for it , or if the report is telling KAV to go deeper and any magnetic structures.
BT drops the phrase "old Kavango" into conversations. Old Kavango was insightful enough to secure 14000km2 but some of the geophysic analysis hasn't been up to scratch and that's been a root cause of the current spiral.
KAV has changed, BT is coming across as more mature and some of this is down to the guiding hand of Peter Bee. For example, last summer KAV were preparing for the KCB drill, BT & the PIs were bullish, Brett Grist was hesitant, even a few weeks of delay waiting for the CSAMT analysis could have materially impacted the campaign and we see KAV applying this learning to the KSZ, one could argue drop a couple of drills into B1 as that will take 2 months and then take a view on B3/4 but I'm ok with KAV delaying until they're ready to go. KAV seem to be using external experts to validate everything as with the Ditau announcement and the recent KCB. I saw the headline 0.17g/t Au and wrote off Ditau which was sceptical mistake.
I'm with BCB at the moment, potentially 3 company making projects which should all drill this year so need to give KAV space to get on with it.
A 2nd BOTG was sent on Friday:
But while B1 is drill ready, we still want to do some more work on B3 and B4 before we start the drill bit turning.
…..revisiting DHEM data allowed us to remodel and redefine the target…..a much tighter shape.
…possible because downhole EM data gives pure data taken at the depth of the causative body. Where modelling from surface results in a lot of noise from the rock formations between the geophysical anomaly and the surface, downhole readings don’t face anything like this. This gives us much greater resolution and, in turn, more discrete dimensions.
A target’s “conductance” is the average for its entire surface area. So, when this surface area decreases as it has at B1, the figure rises as its being spread over a smaller area.
Alongside this, Jeremy’s desktop studies reviewing other discoveries around the world has provided us an updated interpretation that the target could be associated with pyrrhotite. Pyrrhotite is very highly conductive and often associated with the nickel-bearing mineral pentlandite in nickel/copper/platinum group element massive sulphide bodies.
Likewise, we’ve also been able to use the data to effectively rule out a number of possible causes for the conductance other than massive sulphides. These include burned coal and saline aquifers.
The more surveying and data interpretation we’ve done on B1, the more precisely we’ve been able to define it.
The more precisely we’ve been able to define the target, the higher its conductance and the greater our confidence it could be what we are looking for.
That’s the stage we want to get to with B3 and B4.
After all, the two conductors are already in the range of potential sulphides with modelled conductance of 4,100 and 2,760 Siemens.
However, both have also been modelled as much larger in surface area than B1.
With this in mind, we see an opportunity to enhance our understanding of B3 and B4 by gathering more data on them ahead of drill testing.
A range of surface surveys are now underway on the conductors, and we have also commissioned a leading geological authority to complete a new report.
So, while it goes without saying that we’re keen to get the rig in the field and the drill bit turning as quickly as we can…
BT is talking about the legal structures at this stage. I was encouraged that BT downplayed an immediate deal with Majors saying it was too early stage. Still no timelines but I really hope KAV goes it alone with 3-4 drills in the next couple of months.
Stan: there's definitely signs of improvement;
The geophysics is being independently verified and its not bad.
KAV now know their strengths and weaknesses.
Yesterday, "our sole focus is to deliver a maiden resource as quickly as possible". That creates permanent shareholder value.
The acquisition strategy is cautiously sensible.
Peter Bee not only has skin in the game but hands on involvement.
I want to hear more focus on shareholder value and for KAV to stop diluting shareholders for 6 months and the obvious when are they going to drill B1.......but the fundamentals never went away.
From 21.45, nothing particularly new but at least its on the radar of UKIM
https://ukinvestormagazine.co.uk/travis-perkins-cadence-minerals-and-kavango-resources-with-alan-green/
Cox is asking how KAV funds the purchase and associated exploration costs? It just depends on what they're buying, a greenfield licence without little exploration could be relatively cheap, the expensive bit it the commitment to exploration. One of the downsides to Botswana is that licence holders have limited time to make discoveries and then have to hand back a percentage of the licence, normally the rubbish areas you don't need. This might be one of the reasons KAV is looking at other countries.
Abbreviated
Abbreviated version:
Hi Ella, this is abbreviated:
1. Botswana Exploration
2. Botswana Project Financing
3. Portfolio Expansion - advanced stages of due diligence for two possible acquisitions.
Next time mobilise the rig it will be for discovery drilling
Existing targets large-scale plays.
Recognise needs to balance portfolio.
Kalahari sand cover very challenging jurisdiction, exploration strategy geophysics led, very little surface geology to work with, which makes our job that much harder.
Expanding our portfolio into a new jurisdiction to help bolster our work in Botswana.
I’ve been out in the field, visiting potential sites and meeting local operators with an extremely experienced exploration geologist. Goal to add opportunities to our portfolio where there is clear (at surface!) geological potential and the chance of nearer-term commercial wins. This is key.
The fact is that the technical work we’ve been doing these past few years has been focussed on really deep targets. While this has made our jobs harder, it has put us in a very strong position to be able to deploy our skills on “easier” ground.
I now want to put our technological edge to work and apply those advances (such as we’ve made with CSAMT) to areas where there is outcropping and, as I say, more attractive geology much closer to surface.
So, as part of our new strategic approach, we’re putting together a comprehensive plan to explore this new jurisdiction. Peter Wynter Bee, Brett Grist, and I will go to see our main new proposed project. As soon as I’m able to reveal more information about it, I will.