DeSoto Confirms High-Grade Gold in Maiden Drilling at Siguiri Basin
DeSoto Resources has confirmed high-grade gold mineralisation in maiden drilling at its expansive Siguiri Basin projects in Guinea, backed by a strong treasury and a US$12.5 million funded alliance with Fortuna Mining.
- Dominant 1,300 km² landholding in Guinea’s Siguiri Basin
- Maiden RC drilling confirms high-grade gold assays at Dadjan and Tolé
- US$12.5 million exploration funding secured via Fortuna Mining joint venture
- Experienced West African gold discovery leadership team
- Systematic greenfields exploration pipeline across 17 projects
Dominant Land Position in a Proven Gold Province
DeSoto Resources Limited has established a commanding footprint across 1,300 square kilometres in Guinea’s prolific Siguiri Basin, a region renowned for its rich gold endowment. This dominant land position underpins the company’s strategy to uncover district-scale gold deposits through systematic greenfields exploration.
With a portfolio of 17 projects, DeSoto is well positioned to leverage the basin’s multiple gold systems, increasing the odds of significant discoveries. The company’s approach combines extensive geochemical sampling, trenching, and drilling to rapidly generate and test targets.
Encouraging Drilling Results at Dadjan and Tolé
Recent maiden reverse circulation (RC) drilling programs at the Dadjan and Tolé projects have delivered promising high-grade gold assays, including standout intercepts such as 1 metre at 318 grams per tonne and multiple other significant hits. These results suggest the presence of a large, coherent gold system, validating DeSoto’s exploration model and providing a strong foundation for follow-up work.
Further soil sampling and trenching are underway to refine drill targets and expand the footprint of mineralisation. The company’s methodical progression from anomaly identification to drilling exemplifies a disciplined exploration engine designed to accelerate discovery.
Strategic Funding and Experienced Leadership
DeSoto’s exploration efforts are supported by a robust treasury of A$12.7 million and a strategic joint venture with Fortuna Mining, which has committed US$12.5 million to sole-fund exploration across the Siguiri Basin. This alliance enhances DeSoto’s capacity to pursue multiple targets simultaneously and scale its exploration activities.
The leadership team brings deep expertise in West African gold exploration, including Paul Roberts, the non-executive chairman credited with major discoveries such as the 5.4 million ounce Bankan project. Exploration and country manager Aime Nganare and managing director Chris Swallow further strengthen the company’s operational capabilities on the ground.
Looking Ahead – A Rolling Exploration Pipeline
DeSoto’s exploration strategy is designed as a rolling pipeline, continuously generating new targets through geochemical surveys and advancing them through trenching and drilling. The company’s ability to retain and expand its land position amid Guinea’s cadastre reforms ensures ongoing access to prospective ground.
With multiple projects at various stages of exploration, including the fully permitted Timbakouna project with historic high-grade intercepts, DeSoto is building a diversified portfolio that could yield multiple discoveries. The combination of strong funding, experienced leadership, and a systematic exploration approach positions the company well to unlock value in one of West Africa’s most prospective gold belts.
Bottom Line?
DeSoto’s expanding footprint and funded exploration alliance set the stage for potential district-scale gold discoveries in Guinea’s Siguiri Basin.
Questions in the middle?
- How will upcoming assay results from follow-up drilling at Dadjan and Tolé influence DeSoto’s resource estimates?
- What are the timelines and milestones for the Fortuna Mining joint venture’s exploration programs?
- How might Guinea’s cadastre reforms impact DeSoto’s ability to secure and expand its landholdings?
