Ariana Resources PLC (AIM:AAU, ASX:AA2, FRA:4A6) has told investors that drilling at its Dokwe North deposit in Zimbabwe has returned high-grade gold intercepts that strengthen the case for resource growth beyond the current model, including one of the best RC hits from its 2025-2026 programme.
The standout result was 4 metres at 16.90 grammes per tonne gold from 69 metres in hole DRC25, with other key intercepts including 10 metres at 7.67 g/t from 110 metres in DRC23 and 10 metres at 4.91 g/t from 156 metres in DRC22.
The company said the latest results confirm continuity of mineralisation within and beyond the principal shear zone at Dokwe North, with potential for near-surface oxide resource growth extending as much as 150 metres beyond the current resource envelope to the north-east.
Ariana has now completed the enlarged reverse-circulation drilling campaign, which totalled 5,659 metres across 31 holes, up from the original 4,000-metre, 26-hole plan.
It said extra holes were added at Dokwe Central and Dokwe North after encouraging geological indications. Further step-out holes at Dokwe North, drilled 50 to 100 metres beyond DRC25, are still awaiting assay results.
Managing director Kerim Sener said the programme reinforced the potential to expand the existing Dokwe Mineral Resource, which the company currently states at 1.1Moz at 1.52 g/t gold. Ariana plans to begin Phase 2 diamond drilling at Dokwe North in late March 2026 as a prelude to a potential JORC resource review.
"These results confirm that the Dokwe North mineralised system continues beyond the limits of the current resource model towards the north-east. It is particularly encouraging that we can report several high‑grade intersections, including 4m at c.17g/t gold, which highlight the strength and continuity of the mineralised shear zone," Sener said.
He added: "Our next planned phase of diamond drilling for later this month in this area aims to confirm the structural interpretation, test further extensions of the system and support future resource growth at Dokwe."