Midas Minerals Uncovers High-Grade Core at T-13 West With 2-4x Higher Copper Grades
High-grade copper-silver zone takes shape at T-13 West
Midas Minerals has reported infill drilling results at its T-13 West zone that reveal a higher-grade core not defined in earlier drilling. The West zone, located approximately 500m from the established T-13 Main zone, has returned exceptional copper-silver intercepts from 80m-spaced drilling — a significant reduction from the prior 200m spacing used to estimate the existing Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE).
The headline West Zone intercept delivered 31.4m at 2.58% CuEq (1.88% Cu and 37.1g/t Ag) from 335.7m in hole T13DD022, including 15.0m at 3.87% CuEq and 6.0m at 5.90% CuEq. This compares favourably against the existing MRE contribution from the West Zone, which averaged just 0.99% Cu and 6.6g/t Ag based on the wider-spaced drilling. The West Zone currently represents approximately 20% of the total T-13 MRE, which stands at 10.5Mt at 1.6% Cu and 21g/t Ag containing 169,000t copper and 7.1 Moz silver (or 2.0% CuEq for 211,000t CuEq).
The Main Zone continues to deliver robust results, with hole T13DD021 returning 30.1m at 5.35% CuEq (4.01% Cu and 71.2g/t Ag) from 325.6m. The company currently operates six rigs across the Otavi project with a seventh arriving in July 2026, signalling an aggressive resource definition timeline.
The new drilling results carry material upgrade potential. Prior West Zone MRE grades were derived from 200m-spaced drilling averaging 0.99% Cu. The latest infill programme, now at 80m spacing, is returning grades between 2-4x higher, with copper values reaching 2.76% Cu and silver grades up to 58.9g/t Ag. This suggests the West Zone may contribute meaningfully more tonnage and grade in the upcoming resource update.
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Main Zone intercepts extend the very high-grade portion
The T-13 Main Zone continues to demonstrate strong grade continuity, with recent drilling expanding the interpreted extent of the very high-grade portion. Holes T13DD017 and T13DD021 have delivered silver-rich bornite-chalcocite mineralisation consistent with the established high-grade core.
Key intercepts from the Main Zone include:
- 30.1m at 5.35% CuEq (4.01% Cu and 71.2g/t Ag) from 325.6m — T13DD021
- 27.1m at 3.98% CuEq (3.03% Cu and 50.3g/t Ag) from 307.9m — T13DD017
- 7.2m at 5.26% CuEq (4.18% Cu and 57.3g/t Ag) from 176.5m — T13DD011
- 15.5m at 4.99% CuEq (4.33% Cu and 35.1g/t Ag) from 114.8m — T13DD003 (final assays)
The headline intercept from T13DD021 included a higher-grade zone of 23.1m at 6.72% CuEq (5.01% Cu and 90.5g/t Ag), suggesting a coherent high-grade core within the broader mineralised envelope. Grade continuity across 100m-spaced infill drilling de-risks the deposit’s economic potential and supports confidence in the resource model ahead of the planned year-end MRE update.
West Zone emerges as a significant upgrade target
The T-13 West Zone has emerged as the key new story from the infill drilling campaign. Results reveal a higher-grade core that was not defined in earlier 200m-spaced drilling, which formed the basis for the existing MRE contribution from the West Zone. The company has now reduced drill spacing to 80m, and the results demonstrate a material grade uplift.
Significant intercepts from the West Zone include:
- 31.4m at 2.58% CuEq (1.88% Cu and 37.1g/t Ag) from 335.7m — T13DD022
- Including 15.0m at 3.87% CuEq (2.76% Cu and 58.9g/t Ag)
- Including 6.0m at 5.90% CuEq (4.00% Cu and 100.5g/t Ag)
- 22.0m at 2.70% CuEq (1.90% Cu and 42.1g/t Ag) from 363.6m — T13DD025
- 10.1m recovered core at 3.02% CuEq (2.68% Cu and 18.5g/t Ag) from 203.6m — T13DD023
The contrast between prior MRE grades and new infill results is stark. The existing resource estimate for the West Zone averaged 0.99% Cu and 6.6g/t Ag, derived from 200m-spaced drilling. Infill drilling at 80m spacing is now returning copper grades up to 2.76% Cu and silver grades up to 58.9g/t Ag — representing a 2-4x grade uplift.
| Zone | Prior MRE Grade | New Infill Grades | Drill Spacing |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Zone | 0.99% Cu, 6.6g/t Ag | Up to 2.76% Cu, 58.9g/t Ag | 200m → 80m |
| Main Zone | Part of 1.6% Cu average | Up to 5.01% Cu, 90.5g/t Ag | 100m infill |
The West Zone previously contributed only approximately 20% of the total T-13 MRE at relatively low grades. This drilling campaign could materially upgrade both tonnage and grade in the upcoming resource update. The 4.6km strike length of the T-13 Prospect remains largely unexplored for repeat high-grade zones, with the bulk of prior exploration focused on the eastern half of the prospect area.
Understanding copper equivalent grades
Copper equivalent (CuEq) is a method used to combine the value of multiple metals into a single comparable figure. This allows investors to compare intercepts that contain both copper and silver using a standardised metric.
CuEq converts silver grades into copper-equivalent terms using metal prices and recovery assumptions. Midas uses a copper price of US$11,906/t, a silver price of US$2.254/g, and assumes equal metallurgical recovery of 85% for both copper and silver (based on sighter metallurgical testwork undertaken in 2024).
The formula applied is: CuEq (%) = Cu(%) + (Ag(g/t) × 0.018931216)
High silver credits at T-13 meaningfully boost the equivalent copper grade. Some intercepts have returned silver values up to 100.5g/t Ag, which translates to approximately 1.9% CuEq in silver credits alone. The silver-rich mineralisation (chalcocite-bornite) in core zones versus lower-silver chalcopyrite at margins may guide future exploration targeting along the 4.6km T-13 Prospect strike length.
Mineralisation zonation pattern guides exploration
Management has identified a zonation pattern within the T-13 system that may prove useful for targeting additional high-grade core zones along the broader 4.6km prospect. The pattern transitions from chalcocite to bornite (both silver-rich) dominance within high-grade core zones, grading to low-silver chalcopyrite at the margins, and pyrite in the periphery.
Hole T13DD020, drilled 80m to the east of the high-grade mineralisation within the T-13 West Zone, intercepted low-grade copper but exhibited strong shearing, alteration, and pyrite — indicating proximity to mineralisation. This zonation model improves exploration efficiency by providing a predictable geological signature that can guide drill targeting.
Mark Calderwood, Managing Director
“We are seeing a pattern of zonation from chalcocite to bornite (both silver rich) dominance within high-grade core zones grading to low silver chalcopyrite at the margins and pyrite in the periphery. This may pattern may prove important as we explore for more high-grade ‘core zones’ within the broader 4.6km long T-13 prospect.”
A predictable zonation model reduces discovery risk and improves the efficiency of exploration along strike. The bulk of prior exploration occurred on the eastern half of the 4.6km prospect, leaving significant ground untested. The company now has six rigs operating across the Otavi project, with a seventh arriving in July, positioning it to systematically test for repeat high-grade zones.
Resource update and drilling timeline
The current T-13 MRE stands at 10.5Mt at 1.6% Cu and 21g/t Ag for 211,000t CuEq (Inferred, April 2026). This resource estimate is based entirely on pre-acquisition drilling completed by previous owners.
Key upcoming catalysts include:
- Six rigs currently operating; seventh rig arriving July 2026
- Updated T-13 MRE expected by end of 2026
- Initial Deblin MRE expected Q1 2027
Strong newsflow is anticipated through H2 2026 with multiple rigs generating results across the Otavi project. The updated MRE will incorporate the higher-grade infill drilling, potentially upgrading both grade and confidence classification. The reduction in drill spacing from 200m to 80m at the West Zone, and the material grade uplift observed, suggest the resource update could deliver a significant tonnage and grade increase from this zone.
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Key advantages of Namibia’s mining framework include:
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Want to See the Full Resource Update Timeline at Otavi?
Midas Minerals is currently operating six rigs across the Otavi project, with a seventh arriving in July 2026, positioning the company to deliver an updated T-13 MRE by year-end and an initial Deblin resource in Q1 2027. The latest infill drilling at the West Zone has revealed grades 2-4x higher than the existing resource estimate, suggesting material upside in the upcoming update.
For detailed project information, exploration data, and upcoming catalysts, visit the Midas Minerals investor centre. You can also access the full drilling results, resource estimates, and management commentary directly through the company’s ASX announcements.