Haranga to Drill 2,000 Metres Targeting Gold Anomalies at Ibel South in July

Haranga Commences Drilling at Ibel South

Haranga Resources Limited (ASX – HAR) has announced the launch of its maiden drilling program at the Ibel South Gold Project in southeast Senegal, marking a pivotal step in advancing its exploration ambitions. The company plans to execute a 2,000-metre aircore drilling campaign starting in July 2025, targeting gold anomalies previously identified through termite mound sampling (TMS) surveys conducted in 2023.

The Ibel South permit, wholly owned by Haranga, lies within a prolific gold province, just 50 kilometres from Resolute Mining’s Mako Gold Mine, a well-established operation. This proximity adds a layer of geological promise to the project, which has already yielded encouraging surface gold values up to 643 parts per billion (ppb) from termite mound samples.

Strategic Drilling Design and Local Partnerships

The drilling program will comprise three northwest-southeast oriented lines, each between 300 and 400 metres long, with angled holes drilled to approximately 50 metres depth or refusal. This design aims to intersect regional structural trends and test the continuity of gold mineralisation within the Birimian volcano-sedimentary rocks, known hosts for gold deposits in the region.

Haranga has awarded the drilling contract to FTE Drilling, a Senegalese contractor selected through the country’s CNSCL tendering process. The choice reflects a strategic emphasis on local expertise and operational readiness. The drilling site on the Ibel plateau remains accessible even during the rainy season and has received preliminary local authority approvals, with final regulatory authorisations underway.

Sampling and Analytical Rigor

Samples collected during drilling will be composited and sent to a certified laboratory in Kedougou for fire assay gold analysis, complemented by portable XRF scanning to detect multi-element anomalies and pathfinder elements indicative of hydrothermal alteration. This rigorous approach aims to provide a comprehensive geochemical picture that will inform subsequent exploration decisions.

Haranga’s Managing Director, Peter Batten, highlighted the significance of this campaign, noting the encouraging grades from previous surveys and recent artisanal mining activity that target gold within the laterite profile. He also emphasised the program’s cost-effectiveness and its alignment with Haranga’s broader exploration strategy, which includes the recently acquired Lincoln Gold Project in California.

Broader Context and Outlook

This drilling initiative complements Haranga’s ongoing work at the Saraya Uranium Project, which boasts a substantial mineral resource and a rich drilling history. Together, these projects position Haranga as a multi-commodity explorer with a growing footprint in both gold and uranium sectors, leveraging regional geological potential and strategic acquisitions.

As gold prices hover near historic highs, the timing of this drilling program could prove advantageous, potentially unlocking new resource opportunities that enhance Haranga’s valuation and market profile. The company plans to update the market promptly once assay results and structural interpretations are available.