Apollo Minerals has launched Phase 2 drilling at its Salanie Gold Project in Gabon, building on strong 2024 results that revealed high-grade gold mineralisation and visible gold. The program targets extensions at A1 and new prospects A2, A3, and P6.
- Phase 2 drilling commenced with Capital Drilling engaged for efficiency
- Focus on A1 extensions and untested A2, A3, and P6 prospects
- 2024 drilling returned up to 11.7m @ 4.3g/t Au including visible gold
- Historical high-grade mining areas targeted for expansion
- Regional reconnaissance drilling planned at Binda and Mikouma
Phase 2 Drilling Launches on Strong Foundations
Apollo Minerals Limited (ASX: AON) has officially commenced Phase 2 drilling at its Salanie Gold Project in Gabon, following a highly encouraging 2024 drill campaign. The previous program delivered significant intercepts, including a standout 11.7 metres grading 4.3 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from just 9.6 metres depth, with visible gold observed in quartz veining. These results have confirmed the presence of a potentially high-grade gold system within the 12-kilometre prospective greenstone belt that hosts Salanie.
Strategic Focus on High-Priority Targets
The Phase 2 program, operated by the well-regarded Capital Drilling, aims to build on these successes by initially targeting extensions of mineralisation at the A1 Prospect, alongside untested targets at A2, A3, and P6. The A1 zone remains open along strike and at depth, with previous drilling intersecting shallow, high-grade gold mineralisation such as 5.8m at 8.2g/t Au from 15.5m. Visible gold was noted locally between 19.0m and 19.4m, including an exceptional 0.36m interval assaying 124.8g/t Au.
Historical Mining and Geological Context
Salanie’s history of small-scale mining in the 1950s produced over 20,000 ounces of gold at an average grade of 12g/t Au, primarily from quartz veins and alluvial workings. The project is situated within a largely underexplored Archaean greenstone belt characterized by migmatites, amphibolites, and granitic intrusions. Mineralisation is hosted in quartz-sulphide veins with associated chalcopyrite, pyrite, and other sulphides, aligned along the Salanie Fault and related shear zones.
Expanding the Exploration Footprint
Beyond A1, the P6 prospect is a key focus, with initial drilling confirming gold mineralisation along trend from historical high-grade underground workings. Although grades in early holes were modest, the presence of extensive quartz-sulphide veining and shearing suggests a broader mineralised system warranting further testing. Additionally, reconnaissance drilling is planned at regional prospects Binda and Mikouma, expanding the exploration footprint within the Keri Permit.
Operational Efficiency and Market Implications
The engagement of Capital Drilling is expected to enhance drilling productivity and program efficiency, enabling Apollo Minerals to rapidly advance its understanding of Salanie’s gold system. Managing Director Neil Inwood expressed optimism about unlocking Salanie’s potential as a high-grade discovery, highlighting the significance of visible gold at surface and in drilling as a compelling indicator.
As the Phase 2 program unfolds, investors will be watching closely for assay results that could validate the project’s scale and grade potential, potentially positioning Salanie as a standout asset in West Africa’s gold exploration landscape.
Bottom Line?
Apollo Minerals’ Phase 2 drilling at Salanie could redefine the project’s scale, but results will be key to confirming its high-grade promise.
Questions in the middle?
- Will Phase 2 drilling confirm extensions of high-grade mineralisation at A1 and P6?
- How significant are the untested targets at A2 and A3 in expanding the resource footprint?
- What impact will Capital Drilling’s operational efficiency have on the pace and quality of results?