Skylark Minerals Secures Côte d’Ivoire Gold Portfolio, Sets Stage for 2026 Drilling
Skylark Minerals has completed its acquisition of Ricca Resources’ Côte d’Ivoire gold assets, unlocking a substantial resource base and enabling accelerated exploration plans for early 2026.
- Acquisition of Ricca Resources’ Côte d’Ivoire gold portfolio now unconditional
- Flagship Zaranou Project hosts 364,600oz JORC-compliant inferred gold resource
- Portfolio includes multiple underexplored licences with extensive untested targets
- Exploration drilling scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2026
- Strategic positioning as an emerging West African gold explorer with growth potential
A Transformational Acquisition
Skylark Minerals Limited has officially closed the deal to acquire Ricca Resources’ gold portfolio in Côte d’Ivoire, marking a pivotal moment in the company’s evolution. With shareholder approval secured, the transaction is now unconditional, clearing the way for Skylark to rapidly advance exploration activities in one of West Africa’s promising gold regions.
Unlocking the Zaranou Project’s Potential
The acquisition centers on the Zaranou Project, a significant asset boasting a JORC-compliant inferred mineral resource of 364,600 ounces of gold at an average grade of 1.8 grams per tonne. Despite this sizeable resource, the project remains vastly underexplored, with mineralisation confirmed over just 8 kilometers of a 47-kilometer prospective strike. Historical drilling has revealed high-grade, near-surface gold mineralisation that remains open both along strike and at depth, suggesting considerable upside potential.
Expanding the Exploration Footprint
Beyond Zaranou, Skylark’s newly acquired portfolio includes the Maphai Project and an option to acquire the Vavoua North and South licences. Together, these licences cover over 1,200 square kilometers of highly prospective ground. The portfolio’s extensive soil sampling and drilling database provide a robust foundation for targeted exploration, with multiple untested, drill-ready targets identified across the region.
Strategic Outlook and Next Steps
Skylark’s executive leadership has expressed confidence in the smooth integration of the new assets and the local team, emphasizing the company’s readiness to accelerate exploration. Preparations are underway for a substantial drilling program set to begin in the first quarter of 2026, which will be closely watched by investors eager to see how the resource base evolves. This acquisition firmly positions Skylark as an emerging player in West Africa’s gold exploration landscape, with a clear pathway to resource growth and future development optionality.
Bottom Line?
With the acquisition now unconditional, Skylark is poised to transform exploration ambitions into tangible results in 2026.
Questions in the middle?
- What are the detailed financial terms and capital commitments behind the acquisition?
- How will Skylark prioritise drilling targets across the extensive portfolio?
- What timeline and milestones should investors expect for resource upgrades and potential development?
