Mako’s new high grade gold discoveries highlights potential for more finds and resource growth. Pic: via Getty Images
Mako’s new Napié gold discoveries provide a line to resource growth
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Mako’s drilling to test four high priority targets identified by recent auger drilling at its flagship Napié project in Côte d’lvoire has returned high-grade gold intersections from three of the prospects.
Wide-spaced reverse circulation drilling to the north and west of the existing 868,000oz gold resource returned notable results such as 1m grading 44.86 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from just 6m in hole NARC819 at the Tchaga North prospect and 6m at 6.03g/t gold from 91m in hole NARC830 at Tchaga West.
Not only do these intersections highlight the strong potential for resource expansion at Napié – given that the drilling only tested four of the 15 targets identified by the 25,000m auger program, it also comes as gold is undergoing an upswing on the back of tamer US inflation.
The fact Mako Gold (ASX:MKG) has seen such encouraging results from drill fences spaced at 400m is a strong hint that the company could break past the million ounce mark and beyond.
“We are very excited to have discovered high-grade gold on several new prospect areas which were identified as high priority targets following our recent 25,000m auger drilling program,” managing director Peter Ledwidge said.
“We also see great potential for further gold zones to be found at Napié, given the result reported today represent only four out of 15 targets identified from our recent auger drilling.
“Our next step is to commence a diamond drilling program, which is set to kick off within the coming weeks, to follow up the mineralised trends on sections which returned positive results.”
He added that the drilling could extend mineralisation at depth and assist with interpretation between sections, which will in turn allow for future drilling to close the 400m gap between fences – the next logical step to expand resources at Napié.
The company is also awaiting results from both gold and manganese drilling at its Korhogo project.
Drill results
Mako highlighted the success at Tchaga West, noting that finding high-grade gold just 200m west of the Tchaga resource is highly encouraging as it indicates great potential for resource expansion.
This is especially true given that mineralisation was encountered less than 100m from surface.
Gold mineralisation is interpreted to be multiple steeply dipping sub-parallel zones.
Tchaga West remains open in all directions.
Meanwhile, drilling at Tchaga North, which includes the Tchaga Extension target, identified new mineralisation along the contact zone between the volcaniclastics and the granites.
Future drilling will extend the drill fences to the west with the goal of targeting further high-grade mineralisation in the contact zone.
Forward plan
Mako intends to start diamond drilling shortly to target high-grade extensions of new gold mineralisation identified in this drilling program and to collect structural data.
At Tchaga West, the company has pointed to the top 6m at 6.03g/t intercept as the obvious target for a follow-up diamond tail to extend mineralisation at depth.
Diamond drilling is also planned to drill below the RC holes drilled by the company in 2018 at Tchaga North, which returned 8m at 8.53g/t gold and 1m at 215g/t gold.
The company also plans to carry out further RC drilling to close the 400m gap between fences as it moves to expand its resources.
This article was developed in collaboration with Mako Gold, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.
This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.
