Krakatoa Resources’ (ASX:KTA) CEO Mark Major says the company’s progression into production at the Zopkhito Antimony-Gold Project in Georgia “should be rapid compared to other projects” when speaking to Mining.com.au.
“The upcoming milestones are the same objectives we have targeted since day one,” Major tells this news service.
“Our focus is to convert the high grade foreign resource into a JORC-compliant resource and then develop Zopkhito into a mine.
“We plan to advance the antimony processing options and commence baseline work for the gold processing.”
After beginning this work in the new year, Major explains that the company will develop options for mining at Zopkhito and review economic studies, while also beginning environmental baseline work to progress permitting in Q1 2026.
“Our current objectives include reviewing a possible near-term move into small-scale antimony lump ore or small-scale flotation processing, with larger full-scale development of the antimony and gold systems, along with supporting processing options, planned for later phases,” Major adds.
“We are very bullish on antimony, given its use in, among other things, military applications.
“We believe the market will also be very bullish on antimony in the near term, with key players securing long-term offtake agreements and contracts rather than relying on the open market.
“Security of supply seems to be paramount for most countries in the developing world.”
Antimony plays a key role in the defence sector for hardening lead in ammunition and acting as a flame retardant, though supply remains scattered.
China accounts for almost half of the global supply of the critical mineral, making up to 90% along with Russia and Tajikistan, creating supply risks for Western nations due to export restrictions. Mining.com.au reports the US domestic supply of antimony to be virtually non-existent.
Earlier this month, China partially eased restrictions by opening limited civilian exports of key critical minerals, though leaving the US out-of-reach of minerals required for the defence sector.
Antimony is used as a hardening agent in ammunition and alloys required for military uses, while also crucial for its flame-retardant properties.
Located in the Racha region of Georgia, Zopkhito has a resource of 26,000 tonnes of antimony and more than 800,000 ounces of gold, uncovered in historical exploration.
Krakatoa Resources is advancing the Zopkhito Project in Georgia, while also exploring for other critical and precious metals in Australia.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: Krakatoa Resources
