Resolute Mining positive results present new Syama oxide gold opportunities

() (LON:RSG) has received “highly encouraging” oxide gold drilling results from ongoing exploration at satellite deposits of the Syama Gold Mine in Mali, West Africa.

Syama North results demonstrate the potential for a return to oxide mining at areas near previously mined open pits while at Tabakoroni a new zone of shallow oxide mineralisation has been identified.

The positive results of up to 7 metres at 22.83 g/t from 17 metres and 9 metres at 10 g/t provide encouragement for the potential to expand oxide resources.

New oxide opportunities

They are from locations with existing haul road infrastructure which will enable extensions to existing oxide mining at Syama.

Resolute’s managing director and CEO John Welborn welcomed the positive exploration update and the identification of new oxide mining opportunities at Syama.

He said: “Since 2014, Resolute has established and maintained a very successful oxide mining and processing operation at Syama.

“Expanding oxide resources and extending the life of this operation is a key objective of our business.

“These results are highly encouraging and reinforce our commitment to exploration and confirm the prospectivity of Resolute’s extensive Syama landholding.”

Accelerated oxide exploration

The company began a program of accelerated oxide exploration in the March quarter of 2020 to coincide with the dry season in Mali.

Exploration to expand oxide resources and extend mine life is a key priority for Resolute.

These efforts have focused on areas adjacent to the oxide deposits north of Syama and in the vicinity of  Tabakoroni deposit, 35 kilometres south of Syama.

Syama North results

The Syama North targets are adjacent to the existing Beta and BA01 open pits mined by Resolute between 2017 and 2018 producing 2.3 million tonnes at 2.13 g/t for 155,000 ounces.

Better results include:

• 7 metres at 22.83 g/t from 17 metres;
• 5 metres at 13 g/t from 7 metres;
• 21 metres at 1.49 g/t from 14 metres;
• 23 metres at 6.61 g/t from 8 metres; and
• 19 metres at 5.29 g/t from 90 metres.

The results demonstrate the potential for a return to oxide mining in this area and this will be further investigated with follow-up drilling starting this month.

Potential also exists for future sulphide discoveries at depth and future exploration will investigate this.

Tabakoroni extensions

At Tabakoroni a new zone of shallow oxide gold mineralisation has been identified between the existing Tabakoroni deposit and the previously identified porphyry deposit.

Drilling targeted potential extensions to mineralised zones that could lead to pit pushbacks or even new pits if enough material is discovered.

Highlights:

• 7 metres at 9.30 g/t from 32 metres;
• 8 metres at 3.55 g/t from 61 metres;
• 10 metres at 6.54 g/t from 141 metres, 5 metres at 4.79 g/t from 132…