Askari Metals (ASX: AS2) is finalising preparations for a significant drilling campaign in 2026 at its new Nejo project in Ethiopia.
Executive director Gino D’Anna is in Ethiopia holding meetings with key stakeholders as the company finalises approvals for a Phase 1 drilling program at the project, which it acquired in November.
Askari's Ethiopian team is currently designing a maiden 5,000-metre program aimed at validating historical exploration results, with a focus on near-surface gold targets in the Guji, Komto 1, and Komto 2 areas.
The company is also in final selection discussions with potential drilling contractors for this initial phase of a staged 20,000m drilling program.
Exploration Work Underway
Askari has already commenced exploration work with an initial focus on the Guji-Gudeya and Guliso gold trends and regional copper exploration of the Katta area.
Askari has a number of drill-ready areas to test at the Guji-Gudeya trend, where a strike of approximately 9km runs parallel to the Tulu Kapi trend.
At the Guliso trend, there are high-priority sites at Soyoma, Dina, Chago and South Chago for potential early testing.
Askari’s early exploration program is also focused on validating previous exploration of the high-grade copper mineralised zones at Katta, where historical diamond drilling identified high-grade shallow copper mineralisation and a number of outcropping copper gossans that remain unexplored.
The company is in the process of reviewing results from a large regional geochemical survey that identified the potential for rare earth elements and critical minerals at Nejo.
Well-Received Visit
Mr D’Anna said Askari had been “openly welcomed in Ethiopia as a place to do business."
“The advanced nature of Nejo represents a true flagship project for our company with a clear pathway to value-creation through systematic exploration, designed to progress towards a significant JORC mineral resource."
"We look forward to mobilising drill rigs for our maiden drilling campaign, and undertaking systematic exploration to unlock the value potential and upside of this exciting project."
Askari, which is well-funded with approximately $3.2 million in liquid assets on hand, will also be recommencing exploration at its Uis Project in Namibia.
The company believes Uis presents a significant tin, tantalum, rubidium, and lithium opportunity.
