Apollo Minerals Ltd has kicked off phase two drilling at the Salanie Gold Project in Gabon as it follows up strong results from last year, including 11.7 metres at 4.3 g/t gold from 9.6 metres and visible gold in quartz veining with assays up to 124 g/t.
While these results point to the potential for a high-grade gold system within a 12-kilometre prospective greenstone belt, the company hopes to confirm this with the phase two program, which will expand significantly on the 2024 program.
The drilling program of about 2,000 metres will initially focus on extensions to the identified A1 Prospect mineralisation and untested targets at other key prospects - A2, A3 and P6.
Highly regarded drilling contractor Capital Drilling has started operations and this engagement is expected to significantly increase productivity, leading to an efficient drill program.
Looks to unlock potential
Apollo Minerals’ managing director Neil Inwood said: “Following the highly encouraging results of the company’s 2024 drill program, we are excited to commence the Phase 2 drilling at Salanie.
“Drilling will initially focus on three high-priority target areas (A1, A3 and P6), each centred on historical high-grade mining prospects; with visible gold already identified at surface and in drilling at A1.
"Drilling with Capital is expected to be highly efficient and we eagerly await the results of the program which we believe will unlock the potential of Salanie as a high-grade gold discovery.”
A1 drilling for 2025 and previous results from 2024.
A1 initial focus
At A1 near-surface gold mineralisation was encountered in 2024 with hole SLDD004 intersecting shallow, broad gold mineralisation of 11.7 metres at 4.3 g/t gold from 9.6 metres downhole including 5.8 metres at 8.2 g/t from 15.5 metres.
The mineralised zone is hosted in fresh rock and associated with a 12-metre downhole interval of quartz veining and associated shearing from 9.6 metres with visible gold noted locally from 19.0 to 19.4 metres, including 0.36 metres at 124.8 g/t from 18.93 metres.
Mineralisation intersected in this hole is open along trend and dip and is interpreted to be an extension of mineralisation previously encountered in trench SATR001 (10.3 metres at 3.4 g/t), representing a high-priority target down-dip and along trend of current drilling.
P6 also in sights
The P6 prospect, drill tested by only one hole to date, is also confirmed as a high-priority target for the phase two program.
Gold mineralisation in drill hole SLDD002 is interpreted to be directly along trend from the historical high-grade (+12 g/t gold) underground workings.
The mineralisation observed includes up to 25% chalcopyrite + pyrite associated with quartz veining with assays of 5.3 metres at 0.3 g/t from 61.2 metres, including 0.5 metres at 1.2 g/t from 61.2 metres.
Although the grade in hole SLDD002 was lower than expected – the presence of multiple positions of significant shearing, quartz with base-metal sulphides over 26 metres, and the confirmed gold mineralisation around 61 metres downhole; indicates a broader system that requires additional drill testing.
Regional prospects, Binda and Mikouma, will also be tested in first-pass reconnaissance drilling.
Salanie Gold Project.
About Salanie
Salanie Gold Project is 16 kilometres from the major town of Lambarene, less than 2 kilometres from the sealed N1 highway and is within the company’s 100%-owned Keri Permit (G4-456) about 3.5 hours by road from the capital Libreville.
Historical mining at Salanie in the mid-1950s produced a reported +20,000 ounces of gold at 12 g/t from mining of outcropping quartz veins with the remainder from alluvial/eluvial workings.