Santa Fe Minerals Launches 7,700m Drilling at Satama Gold Project in Côte d’Ivoire
Santa Fe Minerals has initiated a significant drilling campaign at its Satama Gold prospect, aiming to define a JORC resource across a 2.5km strike length. The program combines diamond and reverse circulation drilling to test promising gold lodes at depth and along strike.
- 7,700 metres drilling program commenced at Satama Gold prospect
- 33 holes planned, 10 diamond drill holes and 23 reverse circulation holes
- Targeting stacked gold lodes over 2.5km strike length
- Historic drilling includes intercepts up to 26m at 4.82g/t gold
- Program aims to support JORC resource definition
Drilling Kicks Off at Satama Gold Prospect
Santa Fe Minerals Limited (SFM) has officially commenced a comprehensive drilling program at the Satama Gold prospect, part of its Eburnea Gold Project in Côte d’Ivoire. The campaign involves 33 holes totaling approximately 7,700 metres, combining 10 diamond drill holes (DDH) and 23 reverse circulation (RC) holes. This marks a pivotal step in advancing the project towards a formal JORC resource estimate.
Exploring a Promising Birimian Gold System
The Satama Permit hosts a Birimian orogenic gold system characterised by multiple subparallel gold lodes extending over a strike length exceeding 20 kilometres. The drilling program focuses on the Main Zone, a 2.5-kilometre corridor of stacked gold lodes dipping southeast, which has previously demonstrated encouraging shallow gold mineralisation. Historic intercepts include notable results such as 26 metres at 4.82 grams per tonne (g/t) gold, underscoring the prospect’s potential.
Program Design and Objectives
The drilling is designed to test the continuity and depth extent of gold mineralisation, extending well beyond the oxide zone into fresh bedrock. Holes are spaced approximately 100 metres apart along nine fence lines, with diamond drilling providing critical geological and structural insights, metallurgical samples, and validation of RC assay results. This integrated approach aims to underpin a robust resource estimate compliant with JORC standards.
Strategic Importance and Next Steps
This drilling campaign follows Santa Fe Minerals’ acquisition of the Eburnea Gold Project and represents a key milestone in unlocking the value of the Satama prospect. The project’s structural complexity and evidence of stacked lodes suggest potential for additional high-grade shoots at depth. Investors will be watching closely for assay results and resource updates that could significantly enhance the project’s valuation and development prospects.
Bottom Line?
As drilling progresses, Santa Fe Minerals aims to transform promising exploration data into a defined gold resource, setting the stage for future growth.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the drilling confirm continuity of high-grade gold mineralisation at depth?
- How might the new data influence the timing and scale of a potential resource upgrade?
- What are the implications for Santa Fe Minerals’ broader exploration strategy in Côte d’Ivoire?
