Mako Gold Limited (ASX:MKG) has discovered a new shallow gold mineralized zone outside the current mineral resource from a structural diamond drill (DD) hole from the Tchaga Prospect, within the company’s 90% owned flagship Napié Project in Côte d’Ivoire.
Tchaga is located on a +23km soil anomaly and coincident 30km-long Napié Fault.
“The deep structural diamond drill hole accomplished several objectives for us. We needed a deep hole to cross stratigraphy and structure ahead of structural studies which are scheduled to begin in March. These studies should enhance our understanding of the controls on gold mineralization to expand the mineral resource,” Managing Director, Peter Ledwidge, said.
“We were very pleased to discover a new, shallow, wide zone of mineralization outside the Mineral Resource, which is worthy of follow-up shallow drilling to expand the Tchaga resource in the future.
“We were also pleased to encounter wide zones of mineralization at depth and believe that following the results of the structural interpretation, we will have an increased understanding of the processes which control gold deposition and that we will be able to target higher grade zones on the Napié project.”
Drill hole NADD020 was completed for the following reasons and achieved all the objectives.
1. To get a complete stratigraphic section from surface to depth in order to increase the structural knowledge of the Napié deposits. NADD020 was carefully selected so that a complete cross section of lithological units and structures would be intersected. The drill hole achieved this and will be carefully reviewed, along with previous DD holes by our structural consultants when they commence their studies in March 2023.
2. To test for shallow mineralisation, west of Tchaga, outside the mineral resource current boundary. A broad intersect of 23m at 1.01g/t Au from 53m was discovered. The company believes that follow- up shallow drilling, after the structural interpretation may locate higher-grade intersections in the vicinity of this zone. This underscores Mako’s belief that the limits of the potential resource extend beyond what is currently defined.
3. To test for mineralization at depth and to gain a better understanding of controls to gold mineralization. Two zones of mineralisation which include 7.7m at 1.24g/t Au from 425m, and 28.9m at 1.17g/t Au from 436.1m were intersected at depth. The Company believes that this hole will provide critical information and once structural studies are completed, the information from these intersects hold potential for Mako to vector into possibly higher-grade mineralization.
Next Steps
• The structural consultants will commence their work in March and will use the NADD020 along with other DD holes drilled at Napié to integrate a structural model with the current Mineral Resource Estimate. Once this is completed, the information will help to target further mineralization through identification of a plunge direction of mineralization or other structural controls to vector in to the high-grade “sweet spots” on the Napié Project, as Mako moves towards a Mineral Resource update.
• Phase 2 of the auger drilling program is scheduled to commence later this week with 5 auger rigs. Once results are received RC drilling will commence on targets with the highest potential for resource expansion.
For further information please visit: https://www.makogold.com.au/
