en.Wedoany.com Reported - Krakatoa Resources Limited (ASX:KTA) has commenced the 2026 field exploration season at the Zopkhito antimony-gold project in Georgia, with surface diamond drilling currently underway, targeting the delivery of the first JORC-compliant Mineral Resource Estimate.

The second drilling season at the Zopkhito project will focus on areas or structural blocks where mineralized antimony and gold veins have been identified from historical adit mining. This work is part of a broader 2026 exploration program aimed at converting the project's existing foreign resource estimate into JORC-compliant resources and advancing early-stage development studies, following higher-than-average winter snowfall in the region.

The Zopkhito project, covering 1,779 hectares in the Racha region of Georgia, holds a valid mining license valid until March 2042. Krakatoa has an exclusive option to acquire up to an 80% interest in the project.

The project's existing foreign resource estimate shows 225,000 tonnes of ore at 11.6% antimony, containing 26,000 tonnes of antimony metal; and 7.1 million tonnes of ore at 3.7 g/t gold, containing 815,119 ounces of gold.

"After above-average winter snowfall, we are pleased that the Zopkhito 2026 field season has now commenced," said Krakatoa CEO Mark Major. "This year's drilling program is designed to support the delivery of the first JORC-compliant Mineral Resource Estimate and advance early-stage mine development studies. The 2025 drilling program validated the high-grade nature of antimony and gold mineralization, as well as the extension potential at Zopkhito. With growing global recognition of antimony's strategic importance, we believe Zopkhito has the potential to become a rare and significant source of critical minerals in Europe."

The 2026 work program includes resource definition drilling, metallurgical optimization, and preliminary mining studies, aimed at supporting the delivery of the first JORC-compliant Mineral Resource Estimate and advancing early-stage mine development work. The company's 2025 drilling confirmed high-grade mineralization beyond the adits and identified an extended gold alteration system as well as high-grade quartz-antimony vein development.

Krakatoa stated that Georgia's position as a gateway for Eurasian trade is relevant to Zopkhito's development prospects. The country has a population of 3.7 million, a 2023 GDP of USD 30.5 billion, and a real GDP average annual growth rate of 5.2% from 2012 to 2023. Georgia also provides tariff-free access to a market of approximately 2.8 billion people through free trade agreements and preferential trade regimes, including agreements with the EU, China, India, Israel, Turkey, CIS countries, EFTA countries, and Hong Kong.

Georgia's simple customs policy, where approximately 80% of imports are duty-free, supports its role as a regional trade hub.

Underground drilling and bulk adit sampling are expected to commence in the coming weeks. Krakatoa also plans to conduct additional metallurgical optimization test work and preliminary mining studies as part of its broader Zopkhito development strategy. Environmental baseline studies and permitting activities are progressing in parallel to support future project advancement.

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