Skylark’s Côte d’Ivoire Expansion: What Risks Lie Ahead for Exploration?

A Transformational Acquisition

Skylark Minerals Limited has marked a significant milestone with the completion of its acquisition of Ricca Resources’ gold portfolio in Côte d’Ivoire. This transaction, announced just before the holiday season, positions Skylark as a notable player in West Africa’s burgeoning gold exploration scene. The acquisition brings with it an advanced project and a suite of exploration licenses that promise to expand Skylark’s footprint in a region known for its mineral potential.

The Zaranou Project, A Core Asset

At the heart of the portfolio lies the Zaranou Project, an advanced exploration asset boasting a JORC-compliant inferred mineral resource estimate of 364,600 ounces at a grade of 1.8 grams per tonne. Spanning 287 square kilometers, the project features approximately 47 kilometers of prospective strike length, with mineralization currently defined over an 8-kilometer corridor. Notably, drilling to date has been relatively shallow, averaging just 62 meters, suggesting potential for further resource expansion at depth.

Extensive soil sampling; over 5,850 samples; and a robust drilling database of around 85,000 meters underpin the project’s geological understanding. These data sets provide a strong foundation for the upcoming exploration activities, which Skylark plans to initiate in the first quarter of 2026.

Expanding the Portfolio

Beyond Zaranou, Skylark’s newly acquired portfolio includes three additional exploration licenses and one application. The Maphai Project, covering 398 square kilometers, lies along strike from Zaranou and benefits from proximity to established mining infrastructure just two hours from Abidjan. Meanwhile, the Vavoua Project, with an option to acquire up to 100%, encompasses two contiguous licenses totaling 537 square kilometers near the operating Abujar Mine, a significant regional gold producer.

This strategic spread of assets offers Skylark a diversified exposure to multiple gold targets within a well-regarded West African mining jurisdiction, enhancing the company’s exploration upside and potential for resource growth.

Looking Ahead

Skylark’s Executive Chair, Nikolai Zelenski, expressed optimism about the acquisition’s timing and the company’s prospects, highlighting the buoyant gold market and the team’s readiness to commence drilling. With preparatory work already underway, the coming months will be critical as Skylark seeks to translate its expanded landholding into tangible exploration success.

While the acquisition terms remain undisclosed, the strategic value is clear, Skylark is now well-positioned to leverage Côte d’Ivoire’s gold potential and deliver on its growth ambitions in 2026 and beyond.