By Penny Langford
**TSUMEB, Namibia : ** Midas Minerals (ASX: MM1) has reported significant high-grade copper and silver intercepts from its ongoing diamond drilling program at the T-13 deposit, part of the company’s flagship Otavi Copper Project in Namibia. The results, led by a standout 46.2-meter intersection grading over 4% copper equivalent, confirm the presence of high-grade mineralization within the existing resource and point toward a substantial footprint expansion.
The latest results are part of an aggressive five-rig exploration campaign designed to scale the Otavi Project rapidly. With two diamond rigs focused on the T-13 deposit and three others testing satellite targets, Midas is aiming to upgrade its current mineral resource estimate (MRE) later in 2026.
T13DD009: A Significant High-Grade Intercept
The highlight of the recent batch of assays is drill hole T13DD009, which returned 46.2 meters at 4.01% Copper Equivalent (CuEq) from 112.8 meters downhole. This intercept includes a particularly rich core of 18.4 meters at 7.15% CuEq, demonstrating the high-tenor nature of the sediment-hosted mineralization at T-13.
The grades at T-13 are comprised primarily of copper and silver, with the T13DD009 intercept featuring roughly 3.1% copper and 85 g/t silver. These figures sit well above the project’s current average resource grade, suggesting that the "Main Zone" of the deposit contains structural traps that concentrate high-grade metal.
“These results from T13DD009 are among the best ever recorded at the project,” said a spokesperson for Midas Minerals. “To hit over 40 meters of four-percent copper equivalent at these depths gives us extreme confidence in the continuity and quality of the T-13 system. We are not just seeing narrow veins; we are seeing broad, high-grade zones that could significantly impact the project’s eventual economic modeling.”
Expanding the Footprint: The Western Extension
While the high-grade hits in the Main Zone reinforce the existing resource, it is the drilling at the Western Extension that is generating the most strategic excitement. Midas has successfully stepped out approximately 600 meters to the west of the known mineralized envelope, discovering a new zone of mineralization that remains open along strike and at depth.
Initial infill and step-out drilling in this western sector has returned 27 meters at 1.46% CuEq from 286.8 meters, which includes a higher-grade interval of 6 meters at 3.20% CuEq.
The success at the Western Extension suggests that the T-13 system, currently defined over a 1.4-kilometer strike length, could be significantly larger than previously modeled. Geologists on-site note that the mineralization in the west appears to be hosted in a similar stratigraphic position to the Main Zone but may be associated with a different set of feeder structures, potentially doubling the target area for resource growth.
The Five-Rig Strategy: Accelerating Exploration
Midas Minerals is currently utilizing a multi-rig exploration strategy to test the full potential of the Otavi Mountainland. The deployment includes:
- Two Diamond Rigs at T-13: Focused on infill drilling to upgrade resource categories and testing deep extensions of the high-grade Main Zone.
- Two Rigs at Deblin: Testing the Deblin Copper-Gold-Silver deposit, where historic mining once took place.
- One Reverse Circulation (RC) Rig at Spaatzu: Conducting scout drilling on regional geochemical anomalies.
This aggressive pace is intended to feed into an updated MRE for the Otavi Project. The maiden resource, released early last year, stands at 10.5 million tonnes (Mt) at 1.6% Cu and 21 g/t Ag, containing roughly 169,000 tonnes of copper and 7.1 million ounces of silver.
Comparative Drill Results: Otavi T-13 Project
The following table highlights the most significant recent intercepts from the 2026 drill campaign:
| Hole ID | From (m) | Interval (m) | Cu (%) | Ag (g/t) | CuEq (%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T13DD009 | 112.8 | 46.2 | 3.12 | 85.4 | 4.01 | Main Zone |
| including | 124.0 | 18.4 | 5.61 | 148.0 | 7.15 | Main Zone |
| T13DD012 | 145.5 | 12.0 | 2.05 | 42.1 | 2.48 | Main Zone |
| T13DD015 | 286.8 | 27.0 | 1.15 | 30.5 | 1.46 | Western Ext. |
| including | 294.0 | 6.0 | 2.55 | 62.0 | 3.20 | Western Ext. |
| T13DD018 | 98.2 | 15.5 | 1.88 | 39.2 | 2.29 | Main Zone |
Note: CuEq (Copper Equivalent) calculated based on current market prices and expected metallurgical recoveries. Intercepts are reported as downhole widths.
Geological Context: The Otavi Mountainland
The T-13 deposit is located within the world-class Otavi Mountainland, a region historically famous for the Tsumeb Mine, which produced high-grade copper, lead, and zinc for nearly a century. The mineralization at T-13 is classified as a sediment-hosted copper-silver deposit, characterized by chalcocite and bornite within carbonate rocks.
Unlike some deeper African Copperbelt deposits, the mineralization at T-13 begins at relatively shallow depths, with significant intercepts starting as high as 90 meters below the surface. This proximity to the surface, combined with the region’s established infrastructure: including proximity to the Tsumeb smelter: positions the project as a potential low-cost development candidate.
Namibia: A Premier Mining Destination
The success of Midas Minerals highlights Namibia’s growing status as a premier destination for critical minerals exploration. The country offers a stable regulatory environment, excellent infrastructure, and a long history of mining excellence.
As global demand for copper continues to rise: driven by the energy transition and the expansion of electrical grids: projects like Otavi are becoming increasingly valuable. Midas' ability to consistently deliver high-grade results in a proven jurisdiction makes it a notable player among copper stocks to watch in 2026.
Outlook and Next Steps
With assays pending for several more holes at both T-13 and Deblin, investors can expect a steady flow of data throughout the second half of the year. The company is also planning a Phase 2 RC program at its South Otavi Project to follow up on bedrock gold anomalies discovered during scout drilling.
"The primary goal for the remainder of 2026 is scale," the company stated. "We have proven the grade is there with T13DD009. Now, we are using the five-rig program to prove that the volume is there, particularly by chasing the system to the west and at depth."
An updated resource estimate for T-13 is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Social Media Snippet:
Midas Minerals (ASX: MM1) has reported a massive 46.2m @ 4.01% CuEq intercept at its T-13 deposit in Namibia. With five rigs spinning and a major 600m western extension emerging, the Otavi Project is rapidly gaining scale. Read the full analysis on Skillings. #Copper #Mining #Namibia #MidasMinerals #Silver
