DeSoto Expands Guinea Gold Footprint with Three New Projects Along Siguiri Trend

Strategic Expansion in a Proven Gold Province

DeSoto Resources Limited (ASX:DES) has taken a decisive step to consolidate its presence in Guinea’s Siguiri Basin by acquiring three new projects, Dalaban, Woussoubadou, and Branama, adding 242 square kilometres to its portfolio. This expansion brings DeSoto’s near-contiguous exploration ground in the region to 2,687 square kilometres, reinforcing its position along the Siguiri Gold Mineralisation Trend, a structurally favourable corridor that hosts some of West Africa’s most significant gold deposits.

The Siguiri Basin is renowned for its prolific gold endowment, including AngloGold Ashanti’s 9.2 million ounce Siguiri Mine and Asara Resources’ nearby 0.9 million ounce Kada Project. By securing ground contiguous with existing permits such as Moiko and Alamakono, DeSoto is strategically positioning itself to explore a largely underexplored but highly prospective geological setting.

Geological and Structural Significance

The newly acquired projects lie within a north-south trending belt of Tarkwaian conglomerates, intruded by granitic bodies and intersected by northeast-southwest faults. These structural features are known to provide excellent traps for orogenic gold mineralisation. The region’s geology, supported by recent academic research and DeSoto’s own interpretation, highlights multiple targets for gold exploration, particularly where deformation zones and lithological contacts coincide.

Moreover, the projects are situated between major gold deposits such as the 4 million ounce Tri-K deposits and the 7.7 million ounce Bankan-Kiniero deposits, within a target corridor identified through a Mineral Systems approach by DeSoto’s leadership team. This approach focuses on district-scale discovery potential rather than isolated prospects, aiming to capture entire mineralised corridors.

Exploration Plans and Next Steps

DeSoto has already commenced initial reconnaissance work, including Bulk Leach Extractable Gold (BLEG) stream sediment sampling, soil sampling, regolith and artisanal mapping, and rock chip sampling. These programs are designed to identify geochemical anomalies and structural controls that could indicate significant gold mineralisation. Follow-up activities will include more detailed geophysical surveys and drilling campaigns once Exploration Permits are fully granted.

The company is in the process of converting the newly acquired Reconnaissance Authorisations into Exploration Permits, a critical step that will enable more intensive exploration. DeSoto also plans to continue expanding its footprint in the Siguiri Basin as Guinea’s mining cadastre system modernises and reopens for applications, offering further opportunities to secure strategic ground.

Acquisition Terms and Strategic Rationale

The acquisition was completed through an agreement with United Mining SARL, involving a cash payment of US$300,000 and the issuance of approximately 1.7 million fully paid ordinary shares, contingent on permit registration. This deal reflects DeSoto’s commitment to early district consolidation, a proven strategy in emerging gold provinces to secure large land positions ahead of discovery-driven competition and rising land prices.

By focusing on a systematic exploration approach that integrates modern geochemical and geophysical techniques, DeSoto aims to delineate large-scale gold systems within a basin that remains underexplored by contemporary methods. The company’s expanded portfolio now covers a significant portion of the Siguiri Basin’s interpreted mineralised belt, enhancing its potential to deliver meaningful discoveries.