Askari Metals Completes Technical Due Diligence at Nejo Gold-Copper Project in Ethiopia

Askari Metals (ASX: AS2) has completed its technical due diligence at the advanced brownfields Nejo gold and copper project in Ethiopia, clearing a key milestone ahead of finalising the acquisition.

The 1,174 square kilometre landholding is located on the globally significant Arabian-Nubian Shield mineral belt, surrounding the 1.7 million ounce Tulu Kapi gold project and sitting along strike from the 3.4Moz Kurmuk mine.

The company said its due diligence program confirmed the presence of significant gold mineralisation and validated historical drilling and trenching across high-priority targets within the Guji-Gudeya and Guliso gold trends.

Large-Scale Gold Potential

Askari believes Nejo presents a compelling growth platform within one of the world’s most prospective yet underexplored gold belts.

The project area hosts extensions of the mineralised systems seen at Tulu Kapi and features multiple drill-ready targets with walk-up potential.

Targets including Guji, Komto 1 and Komto 2 have so far demonstrated high-grade mineralisation over meaningful widths, with surface and drill data supporting follow-up exploration.

Field Program Mobilised

Askari has finalised plans for geological mapping, rock and soil sampling across the Guji-Gudeya and Guliso trends, with an initial field program now being mobilised.

The company is also preparing for a detailed airborne geophysical campaign aimed at tracing mineralised shear zones beneath shallow cover.

In parallel, it is reviewing and digitising a substantial historic exploration database that includes both reverse circulation and diamond drilling, along with trenching, mapping and geochemistry.

The company said the Guliso trend features a continuous 10km strike of gold anomalies while the Guji-Gudeya trend extends over 9km, with each open in both directions.

Katta Copper Potential Adds Scale

In addition to gold, the Nejo project includes copper prospects in the northern licence, particularly at the Katta target.

Historical work at Katta returned strong copper values, with Askari now designing a follow-up program to verify and expand these results.

The company said it sees significant opportunity to define a copper-gold inventory across both licences, enhancing the project’s strategic value.

Askari aims to advance Nejo to maiden resource definition through a combination of low-cost reconnaissance exploration and targeted drilling.

Stakeholder Engagement and Local Presence

Askari continues to build its presence in Ethiopia with a focus on transparency, community engagement and local employment.

Meetings with government and regional stakeholders are ongoing, and the company has committed to establishing an operational office in-country.

Executive director Gino D’Anna said Nejo offers a rare opportunity that not only allows Askari to expand its African exploration focus, but also establish a foundation for the company to make a significant discovery and build a tier-1 gold portfolio in Ethiopia.

“We are exploring in the land of giants, sharing the same geology as nearby multi-million-ounce gold deposits, and this is what really excites us,” he added.