Polymetals Resources Ltd (ASX:POL) has completed the phase 2 drilling program with 98 drill holes totalling 7,320 metres at its Alahiné Project in Guinea’s Siguiri Basin.
The company is expecting its first gold assay results in mid-August with the second sample shipment delivered to the SGS laboratory in Bamako, Mali.
Receipt of analyses will enable Polymetals to process the results and plan the next steps in its Siguiri Basin exploration strategy.
“Highly prospective project”
Polymetals CEO Alex Hanly said: “We are very encouraged by what we have seen at Alahiné during the last month of drilling.
“The Polymetals team has successfully completed the extended 7,320m drilling program and we eagerly anticipate the receipt of the results from the targeted testing conducted of Phase 1 drilling best intercepts, the extensive gold anomalism defined through our soil sampling program and, the new priority targets identified on the ground.
“From analysis of the results, we will plan further exploration programs at this highly prospective project.”
Cost-effective and fast aircore drilling
Polymetals’ phase 2 drilling program was initially planned to incorporate 5,100 metres of combined reverse circulation (RC) and aircore (AC) drilling.
Notably, deeper than anticipated weathering has resulted in softer drilling conditions, as such significantly reducing the intended use of RC drilling in favour of the more cost-effective and faster AC drilling.
An additional 2,220 metres was completed based on geological interpretations and site geologist recommendations.
Polymetals’ 7,320-metre drill program was completed by Target Drilling, an Australian-based West African drilling contractor.
Shallow Siguiri-style oxide gold potential
Polymetals’ program at Alahiné North has tested the lateral and vertical extent of the phase 1 Hole 14 gold-mineralised zone and surrounding shallow Siguiri-style oxide gold potential.
In addition, the program at Alahiné South continued testing surrounding shallow Siguiri-style oxide gold potential in addition to targeting areas of prolific artisanal small-scale mining activity.
Polymetals has had no safety or environmental incidents and is well funded to accelerate exploration at Alahiné.
- Ephrems Joseph