Dalaroo Metals has successfully secured rock-solid support from the community and local government authorities to launch the next phase of a regional soil geochemistry program at its Bondoukou gold project in Côte d’Ivoire.
In particular, the company is zeroing in on a highly prospective target dubbed Goldridge, with signs of artisanal gold workings and interpreted structural corridors.
A systematic grid is being run over a broad 9.5-kilometre mineralised trend with focus on a 2.5-kilometre arch-shaped fold. High-resolution drone survey data and recent geological mapping have added to the picture in defining this priority area.
The company says that once completed, the soil sampling will provide important insights as it looks to unlock value across the prime mineralised trend at Bondoukou.
In a savvy move and as part of its push to expedite its gold hunt, Dalaroo has now integrated environmental, social and governance-focused community engagement into all phases of its exploration programs. This involved formal meetings with village leaders, youth representatives and administrative authorities to ensure clear communication between all stakeholders.
Successful discussions have now cleared the way for company access and local participation in the next phase of its soil sampling program. By recruiting a local workforce, Dalaroo says it’s fostering shared value and project ownership among the locals. Notably, the company has also received formal authorisation from the Sub-Prefect – a government-appointed local administrator- to kick-start operations.
With local negotiations for the upcoming program phase now finalised, Dalaroo has been able to move forward at pace. The company says its ongoing soil geochemistry program is already 40 per cent complete, marking excellent early progress. Samples are being prepared for multi-element analysis at Intertek Laboratories in Yamoussoukro to ensure high-quality results.
Dalaroo Mining chief executive officer John Morgan said: “Securing strong community and government support is a critical milestone for Dalaroo as we commence systematic exploration at Bondoukou.”
Soil sampling is expected to wrap up by mid-May. Dalaroo expects to receive assay results on a rolling basis throughout the month. The full geochemical dataset should be available for interpretation by late May.
Results will then be used to pinpoint gold anomalies and key structures, helping Dalaroo refine and prioritise targets for its next phase of exploration.
Dalaroo plans to fast-track follow-up activities at newly identified hotspots, which may include trenching and auger drilling, potentially leading to a maiden drilling program.
The company’s 80 per cent-owned Bondoukou project sits within the prolific Birimian Greenstone Belt, host to multiple multi-million-ounce gold deposits, including the 4.6-million-ounce Tanda gold deposit operated by Endeavour Mining, just 35km to the southeast.
Extensive artisanal workings at Bondoukou show strong evidence of gold mineralisation at surface along volcanic-granitoid contacts. The geological architecture is often associated with orogenic-style gold deposits. Notably, Dalaroo appears to be the first to undertake systematic exploration in the area.
Beyond Côte d’Ivoire, Dalaroo holds a diverse portfolio including the Lyons River and Namban projects in WA’s Gascoyne and northern wheatbelt regions, respectively. The projects are prospective for gold and critical minerals.
The company also has its foot on the Blue Lagoon project in southern Greenland, which is prospective for rare earth elements, zirconium and niobium.
The company's exploration engine appears to be warming up, with a steady stream of assay results and news likely to hit the market in a few weeks. With its tail in the air following a combination of strong community backing and technical progress, the path forward has been cleared.
The company looks set to move from reconnaissance to systematic targeting and potentially onto a maiden drilling campaign. Punters are likely to be keeping a close eye on the upcoming results as Dalaroo chases a potential gold discovery.
Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au
By Murray Ward
