Pepita Exploration Faces High Expectations Near Lavras Gold’s Major Discoveries

• Fieldwork underway at Pepita Gold Project targeting high-grade gold anomalies
• Project covers 13,406 hectares in southern Brazil’s Santo Afonso Granite Suite
• Exploration focuses on a 2,870 ppb gold soil anomaly identified in government data
• Pepita located 35km from Lavras Gold’s successful Lavras do Sul Project
• Next steps include geochemical analysis with potential trenching and drilling

Exploration Kicks Off at Pepita Gold Project

Bayan Mining and Minerals Limited (ASX: BMM) has commenced a critical fieldwork program at its Pepita Gold Project in southern Brazil. The initiative, expected to last approximately three weeks, aims to validate and refine high-priority drill targets identified from a striking 2,870 parts per billion (ppb) gold soil anomaly revealed in government geochemical datasets.

The Pepita Project spans a substantial 13,406 hectares across eight distinct tenements within the geologically complex Santo Afonso Granite Suite. This region is notable for its structural intricacies, including a prominent WNW-ESE fault zone and evidence of hydrothermal alteration, both key indicators that enhance the potential for gold mineralisation.

Strategic Location Near Proven Gold Discoveries

Strategically situated roughly 35 kilometres southwest of Lavras Gold’s Lavras do Sul Project, Pepita benefits from proximity to a site where recent drilling uncovered significant gold intercepts, including 59 metres grading 2.9 grams per tonne (g/t) gold and 236 metres at 1.4 g/t gold. These results underscore the district’s prospectivity and provide a compelling geological analogue for Bayan’s exploration efforts.

Bayan’s fieldwork involves systematic prospecting, sampling, and mapping along gridded survey lines to ensure comprehensive coverage of the key anomaly zones. This approach is designed to assess the continuity and extent of mineralisation, which will be critical in defining drill targets for subsequent phases.

Next Steps and Market Implications

Following the completion of field activities, Bayan will undertake detailed geochemical analysis to prioritise exploration targets. Depending on these results, the company may advance to trenching and targeted drilling campaigns to further evaluate the mineralisation potential of the Pepita Project.

Executive Director Fadi Diab highlighted the importance of this program, stating that the rapid mobilisation of the team to commence fieldwork reflects Bayan’s commitment to advancing the project. The company’s recent oversubscribed placement further validates investor confidence in this exploration strategy.

While the proximity to Lavras Gold’s discoveries offers encouraging context, Bayan remains cautious, acknowledging that geological similarities do not guarantee analogous outcomes. Nonetheless, the Pepita Project represents a promising addition to Bayan’s portfolio, with the potential to unlock significant value if exploration success follows.

Bottom Line?

Bayan’s methodical approach at Pepita could unlock a new chapter in Brazil’s gold exploration story—results awaited with keen interest.

Questions in the middle?

• Will the geochemical analysis confirm continuity of the high-grade gold anomaly at Pepita?
• How soon might Bayan progress to trenching and drilling based on initial fieldwork results?
• Can Pepita replicate the scale and grade of nearby Lavras Gold discoveries?