Dalaroo Metals Ltd (ASX:DAL) has completed initial drill pads and access routes at its Bondoukou Gold Ridge Project in Côte d’Ivoire, clearing the way for a fully funded 12,000-metre maiden reverse circulation (RC) drilling program targeting the Mag, Wilfred and Ali gold prospects.
Drilling is scheduled to begin no later than August 15, 2026, with the Phase 1 campaign expanded from 10,000 metres following the company’s recent capital raising. The program will comprise up to 102 holes across 11 drill fences and represents the first direct drilling test of the three priority targets at depth.
Initial assay results are expected around 4-6 weeks after the first sample batches are delivered to the laboratory, with drilling planned to continue while results are pending.
Phase 1 targets Mag, Wilfred and Ali
The program will begin with 24 orientation holes averaging about 175 metres depth, for approximately 4,200 metres of drilling. A further indicative 78 fence holes averaging 100 metres would account for the remaining 7,800 metres.
Initial drilling will use opposing directions in a scissor-hole configuration at Mag, Wilfred and Ali to establish the orientation and geometry of the targeted mineralised structures before systematic fence drilling begins.
Targets have been generated by integrating soil and auger geochemistry, geological mapping, magnetic interpretation and the distribution of artisanal workings. Geological observations from each completed hole will be incorporated into an evolving model and used to refine subsequent drilling positions, orientations and spacing.
The 12,000-metre campaign forms Phase 1 of a broader planned 20,000-metre drilling strategy, with Phase 2 and Phase 3 to be designed using information generated from the initial program.
Dalaroo CEO John Morgan said the campaign would provide the first opportunity to directly test the extensive surface gold anomalies at the 3 prospects.
“The success of our recent capital raising has allowed us to expand Phase 1 from 10,000 metres to 12,000 metres and systematically test Mag, Wilfred and Ali before determining where the next phases of drilling should be focused,” Morgan said.
Next steps
Dalaroo will complete final rig mobilisation before starting RC drilling, followed by geological assessment of the initial scissor holes and progression into systematic fence drilling where warranted.
Samples will be progressively dispatched to Intertek, currently expected on approximately a weekly basis, with results fed back into the geological model to guide drilling while the campaign remains underway.