- 01Maiden Wilfred drilling hits 18m at 7.31g/t gold.
- 02Two holes also intersect broad gold mineralisation from surface.
- 03Nine holes completed in a planned 102-hole campaign.
Maiden reverse circulation drilling by Dalaroo Metals (ASX: DAL) at the Wilfred target within its Bondoukou Gold Ridge project in Côte d’Ivoire has intersected high-grade bedrock and broad mineralisation from surface.
Assays have been received from the first two of an initial 24-hole orientation phase covering 4,200 metres, the start of a much larger 102-hole 12,000m campaign that represents the first systematic drilling of the Wilfred, Mag, and Ali priority targets.
Work began with a strong magnetic signature coinciding with historical and active artisanal gold workings, followed by geological mapping to outline the prospective host rocks and structures.
Soil sampling defined a gold anomaly along the 7-kilometre-long Gold Ridge corridor with a peak assay of 23.26 grams per tonne gold, and auger drilling subsequently confirmed the anomalism below surface.
The corridor lies within exploration permit PR-825 in north-eastern Côte d’Ivoire, in which Dalaroo may earn up to an 80% interest through a joint venture with permit holder Goldridge SARL.
Standout Gold Intercepts
The first two orientation holes delivered standout high-grade intercepts including 18m at 7.31g/t gold from 63m; 16m at 1.46g/t gold from 113m; and 23m at 2.14g/t gold from surface.
The 18m interval in the first hole is thought to correspond with strongly silicified volcaniclastic rock with quartz-sulphide veining and pyrite, providing an important geological indicator for Dalaroo’s follow-up drilling and targeting guidance along the Gold Ridge corridor.
The two holes were drilled from opposing directions and intersected high-grade bedrock gold and broad oxide gold from surface however true widths, geometry and continuity are yet to be determined.
Nine holes for 1,750m have been completed to date at Wilfred, with drilling of the 10th hole being carried out on day and night shifts.
‘Very Encouraging Result’
Dalaroo chief executive officer John Morgan said the initial results were an “excellent start” to the drilling campaign.
“This is the start we were hoping for—hitting gold in both holes from both directions in maiden drilling at Gold Ridge has been a very encouraging result for us and for our shareholders,” he said.
“Every stage of work at Gold Ridge has built on the last, and it started with a great magnetic signature that lined up with artisanal gold workings, then good geological mapping and strong soil sampling results confirmed by our auger drilling.
“These first two holes have now strengthened that picture and indicate that our approach is putting the drill bit in the right places.”
“This corridor has never been drilled before and I would like to thank our team in Côte d’Ivoire, our joint venture partner, and the local communities for their support in getting this program off to such a strong start.”
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