High-Grade Gold Results Found at Bill’s Luck

Q: What is Kavango's plan for the Hillside project?

Kavango plans to bring three key targets — Bill’s Luck, Steenbok, and Nightshift — into production over the next 18 months. The company owns 100% of the Hillside project and is using modern mining methods to shorten development timelines. Current focus is on proving gold systems at Bill’s Luck while building a processing plant to support output. If successful, the same approach will be applied to other targets within the Filabusi greenstone belt.

National Coal Suppliers
Jul 7
4 min read

Curious if Bill’s Luck gold drilling is worth watching? Kavango just hit 11.79 g/t; here’s why it could reshape production targets in Zimbabwe.

Author: National Coal Supplier is trusted by 10,000+ readers monthly for the latest news in coal mining, gold, and chrome.

Key Takeaways From Kavango's Gold Discovery

Kavango intercepted 11.79 g/t gold over 4.36 m at Bill’s Luck
A second 0.49 g/t over 4 m hit shows parallel reef
Drilling confirms proximity to current underground workings
The new 50 t/d CIP plant will help move into production

Kavango Resources has hit strong gold grades in its latest underground drilling campaign at the Bill’s Luck site in Zimbabwe. One of the standout intercepts showed 4.36 m of gold mineralization grading 11.79 g/t. This is part of Kavango’s Hillside project, where exploration continues to suggest a larger-than-expected gold system.

These high-grade results confirm that Bill’s Luck may hold much more gold than earlier models predicted. This could support commercial-scale mining operations in the near future. Also read more about how Lupaka won a $40M ICSID dispute against Peru.

Underground Drilling Near Existing Gold Workings

The gold intercept sits just 12 m from active mining areas on the third level. This makes it a short-term mining target. The hole that delivered the results, BLDDUG004B, was drilled from two levels at an elevation of 995 m above sea level and went down to 75.48 m.

Kavango says the main target was to test the strike and down-dip continuity of known gold-bearing reefs in the area. Results exceeded expectations and now suggest closer access to high-grade material.

Kavango Confirms Parallel Reefs With More Gold

Aside from the 11.79 g/t over 4.36 m hit, the same hole returned a second intercept of 0.49 g/t over 4 m at 61.30 m depth. This second zone appears to represent a parallel reef, not part of the main Bill’s Luck structure.

A previous hole, BLDDUG003, had already shown 3.70 g/t gold over 0.59 m near the surface at 6.41 m depth. Together, these findings point to a gold system with multiple mineralized zones, increasing the chances of scalable production.

A diagram titled "Kavango Confirms Parallel Reefs With More Gold" shows gold intercepts from drilling at BLDUG004 and BLDUG003, highlighting Main Reef and Parallel Reef with high, moderate, and low-grade deposits near the surface.

Processing Boost From 50 t/d CIP Test Plant

To support future output, Kavango is building a 50 t/d carbon-in-pulp (CIP) gold processing plant at Bill’s Luck. Construction is underway, and commissioning is expected in the second half of the year.

This test plant is designed to increase gold recovery and help transition from exploration to early-stage production. Kavango believes the recent intercepts support operating this new facility at full capacity from the start.

Once steady-state output is reached, the plant should turn cash flow positive quickly. Explore how Reef secured five-year right to explore Bothaville

Hillside Project Ownership and Growth Plans

Kavango fully owns the Hillside project after exercising its option in April 2024. The company is targeting fast-tracked production at three key locations on the site: Bill’s Luck, Steenbok, and Nightshift.

All three targets lie within Zimbabwe’s Filabusi greenstone belt. This region is known for its historical gold production and geological promise. Kavango’s approach is to apply modern mechanized mining and processing to shorten the path to commercial output.

Development at Bill’s Luck will guide how the next sites are advanced.

What This Means for Gold Output in Zimbabwe

The Hillside project could bring notable gold output to Zimbabwe within the next 18 months. The 50 t/d plant marks a turning point, signaling a shift from exploration to low-scale production.

Early success at Bill’s Luck builds confidence in the broader potential of the Filabusi belt. With multiple zones being explored and good infrastructure in place, Kavango could quickly scale to larger volumes.

The company's strategy targets both underground and open-pit gold opportunities to spread risk and maximize returns.

A diagram titled "What This Means for Gold Output in Zimbabwe" illustrates increased gold production due to successful exploration, strategic targeting, and the construction of a 50t/d hillside plant for open-pit and underground mining.

Gold Drilling Results Matter for 2025 Investors

Kavango’s strong gold grades at Bill’s Luck, the discovery of parallel reefs, and the rapid build of a 50 t/d plant make this a project to watch. With ownership secured and production plans underway, Kavango is positioning itself for fast growth. Investors tracking Zimbabwe’s gold sector should keep an eye on Bill’s Luck. Early results suggest this could be one of the country’s more productive underground gold zones by late 2025. Sign up now for exclusive news from National Coal Suppliers.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Bill’s Luck a standout gold project?

Bill’s Luck stands out because of its strong underground drilling results, including 11.79 g/t over 4.36 m. The intercept is located just 12 m from existing workings, making it an immediate mining target. Kavango believes these results indicate a much larger gold system than first expected. With the discovery of parallel reefs and down-dip continuity, the area has strong potential for commercial gold production using modern processing and efficient underground access.

How will the 50 t/d test plant help production?

The new 50 t/d carbon-in-pulp test plant will allow Kavango to process gold ore onsite. This is a major step forward in moving from exploration to production. The plant is expected to begin operations in the second half of the year. Once running at full capacity, it will help generate revenue and prove the project’s viability. The company expects the plant to become cash flow positive shortly after reaching steady output.

What is Kavango's plan for the Hillside project?

Kavango plans to bring three key targets, Bill’s Luck, Steenbok, and Nightshift, into production over the next 18 months. The company owns 100% of the Hillside project and is using modern mining methods to shorten development timelines. The current focus is on proving gold systems at Bill’s Luck while building a processing plant to support output. If successful, the same approach will be applied to other targets within the Filabusi greenstone belt.

Are the parallel reefs as promising as the main reef?

Early signs point to the parallel reefs having real potential. One such reef was intersected at 0.49 g/t over 4 m in the same drill hole that hit 11.79 g/t on the main reef. While the grades are lower, these parallel zones expand the gold-bearing footprint at Bill’s Luck. If future drilling confirms continuity, they could support a larger mine plan. Kavango sees these as important for long-term production and resource growth.

How soon could commercial production start?

If the 50 t/d test plant operates successfully and drilling continues to deliver strong results, early commercial production could begin within 12 to 18 months. Kavango is focused on building cash-positive operations quickly by starting with small-scale mechanized mining. The combination of near-surface access, existing infrastructure, and high-grade intercepts supports this goal. Full production timelines will depend on the plant’s performance and further drilling success across the Hillside project.