Angkor Resources Corp. (TSXV: ANK) announced on June 24, 2026, the start of a 2,800-meter diamond drilling program at the Andong Bor copper-gold target in Cambodia. The program targets the Thmei North (“TN”) copper anomaly, a one-square-kilometer zone identified through prior exploration. The announcement matters because it marks a significant step in defining the mineralized system at Andong Bor, potentially enhancing the project's value and providing critical data for future resource estimation.
The drilling is staged around Cambodia’s seasonal cycles. The first phase, consisting of three 400-meter holes totaling 1,200 meters, commenced on June 24, 2026, to take advantage of the current dry season. The remaining 1,600 meters are planned for early 2027 after the harvest season, when fields are dry. This phased approach allows Angkor to optimize drilling conditions and manage logistical challenges.
Hole orientation is a key focus of the program. Based on 2025 drilling results, which showed that mineralization-controlling structures strike north-northwest and dip steeply west, the three initial holes will be drilled eastward to intersect mineralized beds more effectively. The best copper mineralization is hosted in potassic-altered sediments adjacent to feldspar porphyry diorite dikes. Drilling eastward maximizes intersections of these favorable sedimentary rocks as the core passes through alternating intrusive and sedimentary lithologies.
Dennis Ouellette, VP Exploration, stated: “Our 2025 drilling told us how this system is oriented. The structures controlling mineralization are north-northwest striking and steeply west dipping, so by drilling to the east we put the core across the mineralized beds rather than down them.” This approach aims to improve the accuracy of grade and thickness estimates.
The Andong Bor license covers 100.28 square kilometers in Oddar Meanchey and Banteay Meanchey provinces. Core from the drilling will be logged, photographed, and sampled, with selected intervals sent for assay. Results will inform subsequent phases and the exploration strategy for the adjacent Thmei South target, which requires further soil geochemistry to extend the anomaly southward.
This drilling program is important because it directly tests the copper-gold potential of the Thmei North target, building on prior work that identified a porphyry-related system. Successful results could lead to resource definition and attract further investment. The company’s dual focus on minerals and energy (through its oil and gas subsidiary, EnerCam Resources Co., Ltd.) diversifies its portfolio, but the Andong Bor program represents a near-term catalyst for shareholders.
Angkor Resources is a leading explorer in Cambodia, holding two mineral licenses and an onshore oil and gas license. The company’s exploration activities are subject to risks, including drilling uncertainties and regulatory compliance, but the systematic approach at Andong Bor demonstrates commitment to advancing the project. As drilling progresses, the market will watch for assay results that could indicate the presence of a significant copper-gold deposit.
