Apollo Minerals Limited (ASX:AON) reports that it has encountered shallow, visible zinc-lead mineralisation from drilling at the previously untested Niamabimbou prospect within its Kroussou Project in Gabon.
Drilling was carried out to follow up results from a 2020 sampling program, which saw ‘high-grade’ mineralisation from rock chip samples of up to 24.85% combined Zn-Pb.
The results, which came at an average depth of 22m, confirm prospectivity of the Niamabimbou system and are subject to assay results, which are due within weeks.
Maiden drilling at Niamabimbou
The drill program, commenced in July 2021, includes 100 holes for a total of 5,000m, with targeting derived from 2020 rock chip sampling that generated ‘numerous’ high-priority drill targets.
To date, 19 holes have been drilled across the northern region of the prospect for a total of 970m, covering only 1.3km of approximately 8km of strike. Four additional priority areas at Niamabimbou remain to be drilled.
Apollo reports that a majority of holes drilled have encountered visible Zn-Pb sulphide mineralisation, with results coming via assistance from hand-held pXRF.
Consistent shallow hits at Kroussou
The 986.5km² Kroussou Project, situated approximately 220km southeast of the Gabon capital Libreville, is described by Apollo as a ‘significant, large scale, shallow Zn-Pb project’ containing over 80km of strike across 18 prospects.
Only four of the 18 prospects have been drill-tested to date, with all four delivering shallow Zn-Pb mineralisation. Apollo reports that the presence of the shallow sulphide mineralisation validates the company’s exploration targeting model.
The project is served by existing infrastructure including a major sealed road running from Libreville, along with provincial roads and wide forestry tracks thanks to the presence of several logging companies.
Since 2019 Apollo has been earning into an 80% interest in Kroussou, in a deal with Trek Metals Limited (ASX: TKM).
“The confirmation of base metal sulphides at shallow depths in the maiden drilling program at Niambabimbou confirms the prospectively of both the large Niamabimbou Prospect area and the broader Kroussou Project”
Management comments
Apollo Minerals Executive Director Neil Inwood said: “The confirmation of base metal sulphides at shallow depths in the maiden drilling program at Niambabimbou confirms the prospectively of both the large Niamabimbou Prospect area and the broader Kroussou Project (over 80km of prospective strike length and 18 identified Prospects). The Company eagerly awaits the results of this first ever drilling at Niamabimbou.”
Images: Apollo Minerals Limited
