Mako Gold Ltd (ASX:MKG) has started a diamond drilling program to follow-up broad, high-grade gold intersections returned from Tchaga prospect of the Napié Gold Project in Côte d’Ivoire.
This is the first phase of a program that will also include reverse circulation (RC) drilling at the project at which Mako is earning up to a 75% interest from Occidental Gold SARL, a subsidiary of Perseus Mining Limited (ASX:PRU) (TSE:PRU).
RC drilling to follow
There will be around 500 metres of diamond drilling (DD) followed by about 1,000 metres of RC drilling at Tchaga.
The program is following up on positive results of up to 36 metres at 3.09 g/t from 43 metres received from the prospect, with mineralisation outlined over a strike length of 1.4 kilometres.
Data will be “invaluable”
Mako’s managing director Peter Ledwidge said: “The information we will derive from the oriented diamond drilling will be invaluable in determining trends of gold mineralisation encountered thus far and will help us in targeting follow-up RC drilling.
“In addition, we are excited to be testing known mineralised zones at depths down to 200 metres.”
Other encouraging recent results from Tchaga are:
- 28 metres at 4.86 g/t from 83 metres;
- 25 metres at 3.43 g/t from 53 metres;
- 18 metres at 3.25 g/t from 39 metres; and
- 23 metres at 2.46 g/t from 15 metres.
Oriented drilling
Mako believes oriented diamond core will provide valuable structural and paragenesis information on the mineralised zones allowing for better targeting of RC holes in the second phase, which is expected to begin in early March.
Orientation lines are marked on the bottom of the core by drilling staff while being supervised by Mako geologists.
Mako Gold’s geology team then reconstructs the broken core to ensure pieces fit together, which allows them to take detailed measurements of structures such as faults, fractures, foliations, folds and quartz veins.
The in-situ orientation of geological features is critical in determining a model of gold mineralisation.
Drilling DD first increases the chance of intersecting the mineralised zones in RC drilling thereby making better use of shareholder funds.
Testing at depth
The DD program will also allow Mako to test mineralised zones at greater depths as to date the mineralisation has only been tested to a maximum vertical depth of 120 metres.
Ledwidge added: “Mako will provide updates on drill results as they come to hand.”
Mako currently holds a 51% interest in the Napié permit and is the operator of the project.