Vancouver-based Starcore International Mines (TSX:SAM) has generated a pipeline of high-priority drill targets from a 2024 geophysical survey at the Kimoukro Gold Project in Côte d’Ivoire.
Induced polarisation (IP), resistivity and ground magnetic surveys were completed in October 2024 to identify anomalies and highlight structural features.
The three separate methods measure different subsurface properties, enabling explorers to gain a more complete understanding of the subsurface geological structures and identify potential mineral resources.
The complete geophysical survey was designed to identify IP and resistivity anomalies and highlight structural features to aid in the interpretation.
Starcore says modelling of the survey data by two independent experts, Sagax Afrique and ArsTerra Exploration, confirmed multiple moderate-to-strong chargeability anomalies from which high-priority drill targets will be generated.
The ground magnetic survey identified three major structural trends depicted by magnetic anomalies.
One prominent northeast-striking lineament was identified in the central part of the grid, which could be related to a dyke and a fault zone.
The northwest to north-trending lineaments are consistent with remote-sensing structural interpretation, and the same trend of structures is confirmed in the few outcrops.
They are interpreted as shear zones, while east-west to northeast smaller lineaments are higher-order structures on this system.
Meanwhile, a pole-dipole survey enabled imaging down to more than 200m depth with good resolution.
This survey allowed Starcore to represent resistivity and chargeability along 2D profiles, while a pseudo-3D inversion technique was used to populate 3D grids and image the spatial distribution of the electric parameters.
The results show a persistent resistivity corridor is evident in the central part of the grid, which has been interpreted as a structural corridor – likely a wide shear zone.
The flanks of this corridor are coincident with hydrothermal alteration and host mineralised structures.
Starcore says the northeast side of the grid corresponds to the granite-tonalite intrusive and its nearby surroundings and has moderately high resistivity values from surface.
In contrast, metasediments and basaltic rocks in the area are usually conductive down to about 50m depth.
Linear, consistent high resistivity values are tentatively correlated to strong silica alteration, which indicates potential for veining.
The chargeability (IP) map shows high chargeable values in the northern side of the grid, noticeably the northeast side, where granite crops out and an area subject to intense artisanal mining activity.
Starcore, which has a market capitalisation of C$13.4 million ($15.6 million), says both the chargeable and resistive anomalies show good continuity and are open at depth.
Sagax identified 13 main chargeability lineaments, which often correspond with resistivity axes, suggesting mineralisation in the form of veins and associated silicification.
Meanwhile, ArsTerra’s modelling shows six multilinear targets for further exploration.
Starcore notes that the separate independent modelling and interpretation by Sagax and ArsTerra delivered consistent conclusions in the identification of IP anomalies and structural interpretation, as well as generation of targets for exploration.
One high IP anomaly stretches northeast to southwest for 2km, measures 400m wide and is open at both ends. This is one of the targets that will be the focus of further exploration given the evidence of mineralised veins and artisanal prospecting and mineworks.
The priority zones have been narrowed to key target areas that will be used to refine a drilling program.
Starcore International Mines produces gold and silver from its San Martin operation in Mexico and has a portfolio of exploration projects in Mexico, Canada and Côte d’Ivoire.
The company added the Kimoukro Project to its portfolio via the acquisition of EU Gold Mining in August 2023.
Write to Angela East at Mining.com.au
Images: Starcore International Mines
