LSE-listed Kavango Resources has announced a maiden JORC-compliant mineral resource estimate (MRE) for the Nightshift prospect, confirming the presence of an open-pit gold deposit within the Hillside gold project in Zimbabwe.
Released on October 20, the results exceeded expectations and validated the company’s strategy to expand gold production through modern, mechanised mining and processing methods.
According to Kavango, the Nightshift deposit shows strong ore tonnage and high-grade potential per vertical metre—key factors for optimising project performance. In response, the company is evaluating a 50% increase in processing capacity at the nearby Bill’s Luck gold mine, from 200 to 300 tonnes per day (t/d), to support Hillside’s near-term production plans.
The maiden MRE outlines 20,000 ounces of gold at an average grade of 0.86 g/t, comprising 11,000 ounces indicated (0.78 g/t) and 9,000 ounces inferred (0.98 g/t). Extending over at least 700 metres of strike length and 200 metres in width, the deposit remains open at depth and along strike, with large unexplored areas still to be drilled. Kavango’s 2024 drilling confirmed mineralised structures extending more than 200 metres below surface, indicating both open-pit and underground potential.
Resource drilling completed in early 2025 tested roughly 15% of the known strike and defined sufficient mineralisation for a minimum three-year mine life during the first production phase. Kavango plans to start shallow, selective open-pit mining at Nightshift in the first half of 2026, following additional grade-control drilling. Further exploration along strike and at depth is planned to assess underground extensions.
At Bill’s Luck, the company is advancing resource definition drilling, with an initial MRE expected before the end of 2025 to refine the overall Hillside mine plan.
“This maiden JORC resource at Nightshift marks a key milestone for Kavango,” said CEO Ben Turney. “It demonstrates that our gold development strategy in Zimbabwe is delivering results and that our focus on near-surface, fast-track production targets is working.”
Turney added that initial drilling covered only 15% of the 700 m strike length yet delivered stronger-than-expected grades, reinforcing confidence in Nightshift’s broader resource potential.
Kavango is assessing the feasibility of expanding Hillside’s processing capacity to 300 t/d, supported by ongoing trenching and drilling to potentially extend the Nightshift strike length to 1,400 metres and evaluate deeper gold zones.
“With strong gold prices and continued momentum across our portfolio,” Turney said, “we are confident in unlocking the full potential of our Hillside gold project in Zimbabwe.”
