Turaco Gold has delivered strong drilling results at its Afema Gold Project, extending mineralisation and supporting resource growth ahead of the June 2026 Pre-Feasibility Study.
- Significant gold intercepts at Adiopan-Asupiri deposit
- New mineralisation discovered at Bergerie and Sikasso
- Resource conversion focus for upcoming PFS
- Five rigs active, targeting further resource expansion
- Strong financial position with A$60 million cash
New Gold Zones Extend Afema Project Potential
Turaco Gold Limited (ASX:TCG) has reported a fresh batch of encouraging drilling results from its flagship Afema Gold Project in Côte d’Ivoire, underpinning ongoing resource growth ahead of a pivotal Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) due in June 2026. The latest assays highlight substantial gold intercepts from infill and extension drilling at the Adiopan-Asupiri deposit, part of the broader 4.65 million ounce (Moz) Afema Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE). Meanwhile, exploration drilling at previously untested targets Bergerie and Sikasso, located outside the current MRE boundary, has unveiled new mineralisation zones that could further swell the project’s resource base.
At Adiopan, the company’s resource drilling returned standout intercepts such as 28 metres at 2.17 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 91 metres depth, including a higher-grade 15 metres at 3.32g/t, alongside other robust results spanning widths of 20 to 40 metres at grades generally above 1g/t. These results are part of a 3,700-metre program designed to upgrade a significant portion of the 1.32Moz Asupiri MRE from Inferred to Indicated classification, a critical step to improve project confidence for the upcoming PFS. Notably, mineralisation remains open at depth and along strike, with indications of a new parallel zone yet to be fully tested.
Exploration success at Bergerie and Sikasso adds a fresh dimension to Afema’s growth story. Bergerie, interpreted as a one-kilometre southern strike extension of the Asupiri West structure, yielded a notable 20 metres at 2.28g/t gold from 91 metres, marking a down-plunge extension of shallow oxide mineralisation into fresh rock. Sikasso, also extending about one kilometre south along the Asupiri East-Adiopan-Begnopan controlling structure, returned multiple promising intercepts including 21 metres at 2.29g/t and 6 metres at 2.65g/t from relatively shallow depths. Both areas remain open and are subject to ongoing drilling, benefiting from a recently completed gradient array induced polarisation (GAIP) survey that has sharpened targeting by mapping key shear zones and lithological contacts.
Resource Growth and PFS on the Horizon
These drilling results build on Turaco’s recent milestone of expanding the Afema Project’s total resource to 4.65Moz, a 15% increase driven by upgrades across multiple deposits including Adiopan and Herman. The company is now focused on finalising the PFS, which Managing Director Justin Tremain describes as being prepared to an “exceptionally high standard” to expedite the Definitive Feasibility Study and a development decision. The PFS will incorporate the upgraded Adiopan-Asupiri resource but excludes the newer Bergerie and Sikasso zones, which will require further drilling and resource estimation.
Turaco’s operational momentum is underpinned by a strong financial position, with approximately A$60 million in cash and an additional A$4 million in listed investments, providing ample runway to sustain exploration and study activities. Five drill rigs are currently active across the project, targeting further resource growth at existing deposits and new targets such as Katoka, Woulo Woulo, Herman, and others along the Afema Shear.
While the PFS is expected to demonstrate Afema’s potential as a material West African gold project with compelling economics, the true scale of the project remains to be fully revealed. The recent discovery of mineralisation outside the current resource footprint at Bergerie and Sikasso, along with ongoing exploration success at Niamienlessa SW, suggests that the 4.65Moz figure may only be a waypoint in Afema’s development. The upcoming resource update following the final assays from Adiopan and Asupiri drilling will be a key event to watch.
Technical Rigour and Exploration Discipline
The drilling programs employ a mix of diamond core and reverse circulation methods, with rigorous sampling and assay protocols including PhotonAssay techniques developed by CSIRO and Chrysos Corporation, accredited by NATA. Quality control measures such as certified reference materials, blanks, and field duplicates are systematically incorporated to ensure data integrity. Turaco’s geological team has also leveraged advanced geophysical surveys like the GAIP to enhance targeting precision, a factor credited with the recent exploration breakthroughs.
As Turaco approaches the PFS milestone, the market will be keen to see how these drilling results translate into mineable resources and project economics. The balance between resource growth, grade consistency, and project scale will shape Afema’s positioning among West Africa’s emerging gold projects. Meanwhile, the company’s ability to convert exploration success into defined resources at Bergerie and Sikasso will be crucial for sustaining its growth trajectory beyond the PFS.
The latest results underscore Turaco’s methodical approach to resource expansion and project development, blending disciplined drilling with strategic exploration. With the PFS due imminently and ongoing drilling campaigns across multiple targets, Afema remains a project to watch closely in the evolving West African gold landscape, especially given its strong cash backing and operational capacity.
Turaco’s recent resource expansion to 4.65Moz and its focused resource conversion drilling at Adiopan are detailed in the company’s earlier update on Afema Mineral Resource Estimate grows 15%. The discovery of new mineralisation zones at Bergerie and Sikasso complements previous drilling successes at Niamienlessa SW and Affienou West prospects, reinforcing Afema’s potential for sustained growth.
Bottom Line?
Turaco’s drilling momentum and financial strength position Afema well for a robust PFS, but resource conversion outside current estimates will be critical to unlocking full project value.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the upcoming PFS quantify the economic impact of recent drilling at Adiopan?
- What is the timeline and strategy for converting Bergerie and Sikasso mineralisation into a formal resource?
- To what extent can ongoing exploration along the Afema Shear sustain resource growth beyond current estimates?