Altair Minerals Accelerates South Oko Trenching, Confirms Geological Continuity
Altair Minerals has kicked off trenching at its South Oko project ahead of schedule, with initial results confirming geological continuity with neighbouring gold deposits. The company is rapidly advancing towards drilling, supported by mechanised sampling and upcoming geophysical surveys.
- Trenching commenced early at South Oko, targeting key geological structures
- First trench confirms presence of weathered veinlets, quartz carbonate, and sulphides
- Mechanised auger sampling enhances depth penetration through laterite cap
- Upcoming geophysical surveys to refine targets before drilling
- Project situated near major gold discoveries in the Guiana Shield
Trenching Accelerated Ahead of Schedule
Altair Minerals Limited (ASX – ALR) has announced the early commencement of trenching activities at its South Oko project in Guyana, a move that accelerates the company’s exploration timeline. The initial trenching program, focused on the E1 and W1 targets, aims to crosscut the Oko Shear Zone and associated structures over approximately 3 kilometres of combined trench length. This aggressive approach reflects Altair’s confidence in the geological potential of the area.
Confirming Geological Continuity
The first completed trench, SO-T04, has revealed numerous occurrences of weathered veinlets, quartz carbonate, and sulphides within the saprolite layer approximately three metres below surface. These findings mirror the host geological package of neighbouring billion-dollar deposits, validating the extension of the Barama-Mazaruni Greenstone belt into Altair’s tenements. While the company is cautious not to imply mineral abundance at this stage, the geological continuity is a promising indicator for future exploration.
Enhanced Sampling and Upcoming Surveys
To complement trenching, Altair has deployed a mechanised auger to penetrate the laterite cap more effectively than hand-augers, enabling in-situ anomaly identification within the saprolite. Two batches of soil samples have already been dispatched to laboratories, with assay results eagerly awaited. Additionally, a comprehensive geophysical survey program; including ground gradient induced polarisation, pole-dipole, and magnetic surveys; is set to commence imminently. These surveys will provide critical structural insights and help refine drill targets.
Strategic Positioning in a Premier Gold Jurisdiction
South Oko sits within the highly prospective Guiana Shield, a region gaining rapid recognition for its gold potential. The project lies just 1.5 kilometres from a 5.9 million ounce gold discovery poised for production within 18 months. Recent successes by peers such as G2 Goldfields and Reunion Gold have underscored the region’s untapped potential, making Altair’s accelerated exploration program particularly timely.
Looking Ahead
Altair’s nimble and flexible exploration approach, combining trenching, auger sampling, soil geochemistry, and geophysics, is designed to systematically de-risk the project ahead of drilling. CEO Faheem Ahmed highlighted the team’s ability to run parallel programs efficiently and promised multiple updates in the coming weeks. As assay results and geophysical data come in, the market will be watching closely for signs of a major discovery that could elevate Altair’s profile in this emerging gold hotspot.
Bottom Line?
Altair’s rapid progress at South Oko sets the stage for a pivotal drill campaign that could unlock significant value in a world-class gold province.
Questions in the middle?
- What will the upcoming assay results reveal about gold mineralisation at South Oko?
- How will the geophysical surveys refine the understanding of subsurface structures?
- When can investors expect the commencement and results of the planned drilling program?
