Kavango Concludes Ore Sample Tests at Hillside Project

Why It Matters

The results de‑risk the Hillside project’s processing design, paving the way for rapid capacity expansion and stronger cash flow potential for Kavango and its investors.

Key Takeaways

• Lab recoveries exceed 95% on Nightshift and Bill’s Luck ores
• 50‑tpd plant design validated; upgrade path to 250 tpd planned
• Intensive leach achieved up to 98% gold recovery in 24 hours
• Reagent and energy use remained within normal industry ranges
• Gravity concentrators delivered 50‑90% recovery, confirming versatile processing

Pulse Analysis

Kavango Resources’ successful metallurgical campaign underscores the strategic importance of rigorous ore testing in emerging gold districts. By partnering with Solo Resources, Maelgwyn Mineral Services, and SGS South Africa, the company ensured that its data meet ISO and South African accreditation standards, bolstering credibility with financiers and regulators. The focus on both carbon‑in‑leach (CIL) and gravity‑based recovery routes reflects a diversified processing philosophy that can adapt to varying ore mineralogy, a critical factor in Zimbabwe’s complex geology.

The test programme’s headline figures—over 95% recovery in the lab and up to 98% in intensive leach trials—provide a solid engineering foundation for the planned 50‑tonne‑per‑day plant. The ability to achieve such high recoveries without excessive grinding or reagent consumption suggests low operating costs and a favorable cost‑per‑ounce metric. Moreover, the validation of a 75‑micron grind size and the identification of optimal gravity‑recovery stages give engineers a clear path to scale the operation to 250 tpd, aligning with Kavango’s growth ambitions and the broader demand for low‑cost gold supply.

For the market, these results reduce project risk and may accelerate capital raising or financing arrangements. Investors often view metallurgical certainty as a key hurdle in frontier mining projects; Kavango’s data therefore enhance its valuation narrative. In the context of Zimbabwe’s gold sector, which is attracting renewed foreign interest, the Hillside project could become a benchmark for efficient, environmentally conscious production. As gold prices remain robust, the combination of high recovery rates and scalable processing capacity positions Kavango to capture upside in both commodity and equity markets.