Mako Gold Ltd (ASX:MKG) has completed the diamond drilling phase of a combined diamond and RC program at Tchaga Prospect of its Napié Project, Cote d'Ivoire.
Around 500 metres of diamond drilling was conducted, with the aim of following up broad, high-grade gold intersections returned from Tchaga of up to 36 metres at 3.09 g/t from 43 metres, with mineralisation outlined over a strike length of 1.4 kilometres.
Results are expected in early March, with around 1,000 metres of RC drilling to follow.
RC drilling planned
Mako anticipates that the results will provide valuable structural and paragenesis information on the mineralised zones - allowing for better targeting of RC holes in the second phase.
The diamond drilling has also allowed the testing of mineralised zones to greater than 120 metres depth.
While Mako has received positive drill results to date elsewhere at Napié, the company is focusing on the more advanced Tchaga prospect in its endeavour to outline a JORC-compliant gold resource by the fourth quarter of 2020.
Napié farm-in
In September 2017, the company signed a farm-in and joint venture with Occidental Gold, a subsidiary of West African gold producer Perseus Mining Limited (ASX:PRU) (TSE:PRU), under the condition that Mako had up to three years to spend $1.5 million on exploration at Napie for a 51% interest.
Mako earned its 51% interest ahead of schedule and is proceeding with the opportunity to earn up to 75% interest in Napie.