18km Gold Anomalous Trends Identified at MetalsGrove’s Zuénoula Permit

Significant Gold Anomalies Extend Across Zuénoula Permit

MetalsGrove Mining Limited (ASX:MGA) has mapped out a striking 18km of combined gold anomalous trends across the eastern part of its Zuénoula permit in Côte d’Ivoire. These trends emerge from three major prospect areas; Fifty-Five (9km), Central (4km), and Konezra (5km); each defined by broad-spaced soil sampling grids at 400m and 200m intervals. The standout soil assay peaked at 1,242 ppb Au (1.24 g/t) near the boundary with the adjoining Kounahiri West permit application, suggesting the mineralisation remains open northeastwards and hints at a district-scale gold system across MetalsGrove’s strategic landholding.

The 9km northeast strike of the Fifty-Five Prospect aligns with trends previously reported in the area, building on the company’s earlier work where peak assays reached 583 ppb gold. This continuity towards the Kounahiri West permit application reinforces the prospectivity of the region’s structural corridors. MetalsGrove’s ongoing infill sampling at 200m x 50m spacing is designed to sharpen the definition of these anomalies ahead of drilling, with three field crews actively collecting approximately 1,500 additional soil samples. The company has already received assays for 1,617 samples, with 388 more pending, maintaining momentum in the exploration program. This progress complements the recent detailed soil and LiDAR data that refined targets at Fifty-Five Prospect, underscoring the systematic approach to advancing these gold anomalies towards drill readiness sharpens gold targets.

Structural Controls and Advanced Survey Techniques Support Targeting

The northeast orientation of the gold anomalous trends correlates with major regional fault systems within the Birimian greenstone belt, a prolific gold province in West Africa. This structural alignment boosts confidence that the anomalies are geologically meaningful and not random geochemical noise. MetalsGrove has integrated high-resolution LiDAR and orthophoto survey data into its exploration workflow, enabling precise topographical mapping and drainage interpretation to guide sampling and drilling programs. Notably, the highest soil gold values cluster on topographical crests, a pattern that may indicate bedrock mineralisation beneath transported cover.

Such advanced geospatial tools were previously highlighted by MetalsGrove’s deployment of UAV LiDAR surveys to enhance regolith mapping and structural interpretation, a move that has accelerated target refinement across the project area deploys cutting-edge LiDAR. The company’s methodical approach includes a sequence of soil sampling stages, progressing from broad 1,000m grids to tighter 200m x 50m spacing, followed by planned auger drilling during the wet season to probe beneath transported cover.

Pathway to Drilling and Exploration Advancement

MetalsGrove plans to define multiple drill targets by October 2026, with auger drilling scheduled for the June–September wet season and reverse circulation (RC) or diamond drilling anticipated in the dry season. The auger program aims to provide critical subsurface geochemical data to refine drill hole placement and improve the chances of intersecting mineralisation. The company’s exploration manager has confirmed site access feasibility for auger drilling, a key logistical step forward.

Beyond Zuénoula, soil sampling continues on the adjoining Vavoua permit, with over 470 samples being collected and assays pending for termite mound samples, broadening the regional exploration footprint. MetalsGrove’s Central West Gold Project, encompassing the Gemica and Stellar joint ventures, covers 1,315 km² along the Abujar–Napié gold trend; a highly prospective corridor hosting multi-million-ounce deposits. This strategic positioning places MetalsGrove well within a prolific gold belt, approximately 100km north of the Abujar Gold Mine and 160km south of the Napié Gold Deposit.

The company’s measured progress; from soil sampling through to planned drilling; reflects a disciplined exploration strategy in a region with limited prior systematic gold exploration. While no drilling results are yet available, the expanding soil geochemical footprint and integration of modern surveying techniques suggest a growing confidence in the project’s potential to host significant gold mineralisation.