Kodal Minerals, the mineral exploration and development company focused on the Bougouni Lithium Project in Southern Mali (“Bougouni”) and its gold assets in West Africa, is pleased to announce high-grade gold mineralisation returned from re-split sampling for the reverse circulation (“RC”) drilling at the Nielle Project (“Nielle”) located in northern Cote d’Ivoire.
These latest results follow on from the previous announcement of the initial composite sample assay results for the completed RC drilling at the Nielle Concession earlier this year.
Highlights
· Re-split sampling completed to confirm characteristics of gold mineralised zones returns grades up to 38.5g/t gold, and intersections include:
o 13m at 5.07g/t gold from 12m in drill hole NLRC035*
– including 3m at 16.33g/t gold from 13m.
o 12m at 3.14g/t gold from 21m in drill hole NLRC038
– including 2m at 10.79g/t gold from 27m
o 5m at 15.42g/t gold from 7m in drill hole NLRC032
– including 2m at 31.54g/t gold from 8m
o 9m at 4.33g/t gold from 86m in drill hole NLRC038
– including 2m at 16.88g/t gold from 88m
(*Note NLRC035 interval 11m to 12m unable for re-split sampling and not included in calculation)
· These intersections confirm the extent and high-grade mineralisation at Nielle and will be used to focus follow-up drilling to target definition of high-grade zones.
· Gold mineralisation associated with quartz-carbonate-sulphide mineralisation and remains open along strike and at depth.
· Kodal’s first drilling campaign at Nielle has extended the main zone of gold mineralisation, identified new parallel zones of mineralisation and with aircore drilling has extended the target zone.
Bernard Aylward, CEO of Kodal Minerals, commented: “The shallow, high-grade gold mineralisation up to 38.5g/t gold from this latest sampling is very encouraging. Our first detailed drilling programme at Nielle has confirmed and extended the initial exploration work of our former Joint Venture partner, and we are very keen to re-commence drilling as soon as the access to the area is available again, following the seasonal rains. The extent of the shallow-high grade gold mineralisation will be important to determine as well as continuing to extend the depth of the gold mineralised structures. Exploration of these mineralised systems throughout West Africa is continuing to highlight the importance of the controls on the high-grade gold mineralised shoots, and our next phase of drilling will also attempt to define the controls and possible plunge directions of the high-grade zones.
“In addition to the gold exploration activity, Kodal is continuing to monitor the progress of its Mining Licence application for the Bougouni Lithium project and can confirm that the licence is with the office of the Prime Minister awaiting final signature. Updates to shareholders will be provided as soon as further information is available.”
FURTHER INFORMATION
Nielle Project
Kodal has completed the one metre re-split sampling of the initial three metre composite sampling. The purpose of the re-split sampling is to provide confirmation of the initial results and to further constrain the controls on the gold mineralisation. These results do confirm the reliability of the initial test work, however the one metre sampling allows closer definition of the width as well as the grade of the zones, and as demonstrated, can return individual high grade samples. This initial RC drilling programme has successfully confirmed and extended the previous gold mineralised zones defined by the former joint venture partner Resolute Mining Limited.
Gold mineralised intersections are associated with strong alteration, sulphide mineralisation and quartz-carbonate veining. The results of the RC drilling programme confirm a gold mineralised system that remains open along strike and at depth. The presence of shallow gold mineralisation is reflected in the surface geochemical anomaly, and a review of the surface geochemical anomaly highlights additional targets for drill testing. Follow-up and extension drilling is planned to continue to test the defined gold mineralised zone as well as continue to fully evaluate the geochemical anomaly.
Significant final one metre re-split intersections for the RC drill holes calculated using a 0.5g/t gold lower cut-off, maximum 2m internal dilution are tabled below:
The next phase of exploration at Nielle will consist of additional RC drill testing targeting the defined gold mineralised zone and further aircore drilling targeting the surface geochemical anomaly and geological targets. Drilling is anticipated to commence as soon as possible following access becoming available following the seasonal rains.
**ENDS**
For further information, please visit www.kodalminerals.com or contact the following:
Kodal Minerals plc
Bernard Aylward, CEO
Tel: +61 418 943 345
