Ferké Project Auger Drilling Yields Peak 18.5g/t Gold and New Anomalies
Many Peaks Minerals has revealed promising auger drilling results at its Ferké Gold Project in Côte d'Ivoire, identifying extensive new drill-ready gold anomalies and advancing diamond drilling to expand high-grade zones.
- Multiple undrilled gold anomalies identified up to 650m wide along the Leraba trend
- Peak auger assay of 18.5g/t gold found 3.8km south of Ouarigue prospect
- Diamond drilling underway to extend high-grade gold intercepts at Ouarigue South
- Follow-up air core and RC drilling planned for March to test new targets
- Auger results integrated with geophysics to refine exploration strategy
Auger Drilling Reveals Extensive Gold Anomalies
Many Peaks Minerals Limited (ASX:MPK) has reported significant progress at its Ferké Gold Project in northern Côte d'Ivoire, following the completion of a 6,756m auger drilling program across 948 holes. The results have successfully delineated multiple new drill-ready targets along the southern extent of the >16km Leraba gold trend, including two large gold anomalies measuring 340m and 650m wide, located 1.9km and 3.8km north of the Ouarigue South prospect respectively. Notably, the northernmost anomaly remains open to further expansion.
The auger program, designed to sample beneath a shallow ferricrete horizon, has provided a cost-effective method to penetrate surface depletion zones and identify higher tenor gold mineralisation in weathered clays. This approach has yielded a peak assay of 18.5g/t gold from an auger hole situated 3.8km south of Ouarigue, an unusually high result for this drilling method and a key highlight that sharpens targeting for upcoming drilling campaigns.
Diamond Drilling Advances High-Grade Extensions
Concurrent with the auger results, Many Peaks is progressing a diamond drilling campaign focused on extending and better defining previously reported high-grade gold intercepts at the Ouarigue South prospect. Earlier drilling had returned significant intercepts such as 45.3m at 3.16g/t gold and 39.7m at 3.54g/t gold, underscoring the prospect's potential. The current diamond drilling aims to clarify the geometry and continuity of mineralisation, which will be critical for resource modelling and future development planning.
Strategic Integration and Upcoming Drilling Plans
Many Peaks is integrating the auger assay data with high-resolution geophysical surveys to refine its exploration model and prioritise targets. Follow-up activities already underway include rock chip sampling and detailed mapping of the newly identified anomalies. The company plans to commence air core and reverse circulation (RC) drilling on priority targets in March, aiming to test the depth extensions of the surface anomalies and evaluate fresh rock mineralisation.
Executive Chairman Travis Schwertfeger highlighted the significance of these findings, noting that the scale and tenor of the auger anomalies are analogous to mineralisation confirmed at Ouarigue. He emphasised the company's commitment to extensive drilling programs that will better outline the volume potential of the Ferké project, leveraging over US$4 million of prior exploration investment.
Regional Context and Project Outlook
The Ferké Gold Project is strategically located on the eastern margin of the Daloa greenstone belt, intersecting major regional shear zones known to host orogenic lode gold deposits. Its proximity to established mining districts in Côte d'Ivoire and the presence of a >16km gold trend provide a compelling backdrop for Many Peaks' exploration efforts. The company's methodical approach, combining innovative auger sampling techniques with traditional diamond drilling, positions it well to unlock the project's potential.
As the exploration advances, the integration of geochemical, geophysical, and drilling data will be pivotal in delineating a robust mineral resource. The upcoming air core and RC drilling campaigns will be closely watched by investors and analysts eager to see if these early promising results translate into a significant gold resource.
Bottom Line?
Many Peaks is poised to transform its extensive auger anomalies into a defined gold resource, with upcoming drilling set to reveal the true scale of Ferké's potential.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the upcoming air core and RC drilling confirm extensions of high-grade gold mineralisation?
- How will integration of auger and geophysical data refine the resource model at Ferké?
- What are the implications of the 18.5g/t peak auger result for overall project economics?