Turaco Gold (ASX:TCG) has confirmed significant depth extensions to mineralisation below the current 1.7 million ounce (Moz) mineral resource estimate (MRE) following initial deep drilling at the Woulo Woulo deposit.
The company intersected 100m @ 1.06 grams per tonne (g/t) gold (Au) from 495m, including 36m @ 1.87g/t Au from 559m and 17m @ 2.96g/t Au from 577m, approximately 250m below previous drilling.
Geological modelling shows the broad zones of higher-grade gold sit along the western margin of the deposit and are controlled by a plunging flexure associated with increased fracturing.
Turaco drilled three deeper holes totalling 1,533m targeting interpreted shoot-controlled higher-grade mineralisation beneath the Woulo Woulo Prefeasibility Study (PFS) pit design.
Hole WOUDD0244 extended higher-grade mineralisation more than 250m vertically beneath hole WOUDD0198, which intercepted 186m @ 1.65g/t Au from 263m including 7m @ 14.43g/t Au from 302m.
Meanwhile, holes WOUDD0242 and WOUDD243 deviated less than anticipated, returning 34m @ 1.29g/t Au from 385m and 33m @ 0.87g/t Au from 327m respectively.
Managing Director Justin Tremain says the results confirm the continuation of mineralisation well below the ore reserve pit.
“[This reinforces] our confidence in the potential for material resource growth at Woulo Woulo,” Tremain says.
The company is currently conducting follow-up drilling spanning approximately 2,300m.
Drilling aims to further refine the extent of down-plunge higher-grade mineralisation, assess potential for expanding the PFS pit design, and target underground resources.
Turaco says drilling rigs are also active at the Adiopan, Anuiri, and Begnopan deposits.
The Woulo Woulo Deposit forms part of the 4.65Moz Afema Gold Project in south-east Côte d’Ivoire, with an MRE comprising 53.5 million tonnes @ 1g/t Au for 1.7Moz at a 0.50g/t cut-off; and metallurgical gold extractions averaging 89.6% for fresh ore to 93.9% for oxide ore from conventional cyanide leaching.
Turaco Gold is an explorer and developer focused on advancing its large-scale flagship Afema Gold Project in Côte d’Ivoire.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Images: Mining.com.au
