Desert Metals has uncovered a substantial gold-in-soil anomaly exceeding 7km at its Nyan prospect in Côte d'Ivoire, with surface samples peaking at over 6 g/t gold. The untested anomaly aligns with the structural trend of the company’s King Kong discovery, setting the stage for imminent drilling.
- Maiden soil sampling reveals +7km gold-in-soil corridor
- Peak soil assays up to 6.04 g/t gold
- Two discrete high-grade zones identified within 9.7 km² footprint
- Anomaly lies on strike with King Kong discovery drilling
- Planned ~6,750m oxide aircore drilling to test targets
Nyan Prospect Reveals Exceptional Surface Gold Signature
Desert Metals Limited (ASX:DM1) has reported striking results from its maiden soil sampling program at the Nyan gold prospect, part of the Adzope Gold Project in southern Côte d'Ivoire. The company identified a continuous gold-in-soil anomaly extending over 7 kilometres, with peak surface samples hitting 6.04 grams per tonne (g/t) gold; an exceptional tenor for soil geochemistry.
This newly defined corridor is not only extensive but also hosts two distinct high-grade zones within a roughly 9.7 square kilometre footprint. Zone A, the principal target, includes a 165-metre-wide area with soil samples exceeding 0.5 g/t gold, featuring standout assays of 6,036 parts per billion (ppb) and 3,626 ppb (equivalent to 6.04 g/t and 3.63 g/t respectively). Zone B, located about 650 metres northeast, covers approximately 570 by 600 metres and peaks at 993 ppb gold.
Structural Continuity with King Kong Discovery Elevates Prospect
Crucially, the Nyan anomaly sits directly along strike to the south-west of Desert Metals’ King Kong discovery, where drilling previously returned 17 metres at 7.5 g/t gold. Both prospects lie within the same northeast-trending structural corridor of the Birimian greenstone belt; a prolific orogenic gold province spanning Côte d'Ivoire and neighbouring Ghana.
Managing Director Stephen Ross highlighted the significance: “A 6 g/t gold-in-soil peak within a multi-kilometre corridor is exactly the kind of surface signature that points to a buried, structurally-controlled gold system. To define an anomaly twice the size of King Kong’s soil signature, which remains open in both directions and untested by drilling, is genuinely exciting.”
Sampling Methodology and Geological Setting
The soil sampling program comprised 335 samples collected on a coarse 400m by 100m grid, designed to cross the interpreted NE-trending structural fabric. Samples were taken at 40cm depth and assayed by fire assay with atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) finish at Intertek Ghana, with stringent QAQC protocols applied. The anomaly’s continuity and intensity suggest a near-surface or in-situ gold source rather than transported material.
Geologically, the Adzope project lies within the Palaeoproterozoic Birimian greenstone terrain, part of the West African Craton known for hosting world-class orogenic gold deposits. The gold mineralisation is interpreted as structurally controlled, likely quartz vein-hosted, consistent with the presence of quartz float near high-grade soil samples.
Aggressive Follow-Up Exploration Planned
Desert Metals is moving swiftly to capitalise on these findings. The company plans infill soil sampling on a tighter 200m by 50m grid and ground geophysics surveys (induced polarization and magnetics) to refine drill targets. A maiden oxide aircore drilling campaign is scheduled, comprising approximately 135 holes totalling around 6,750 metres, focused on the two high-grade zones with holes inclined at -60° to an average depth of 50 metres.
Additional soil sampling will extend along strike to the northeast and southwest, where the anomaly remains open. Higher gold cut-offs (250ppb and 500ppb) will be used to prioritise targets ahead of follow-up reverse circulation and diamond drilling aimed at testing the bedrock source.
The Nyan discovery adds significant momentum to Desert Metals’ Côte d'Ivoire portfolio, complementing recent expansions and consolidations of its permits in the region. The upcoming drilling results will be critical to assessing the true potential of this compelling new target.
Bottom Line?
The Nyan anomaly’s scale and grade signal a promising new chapter for Desert Metals, but drilling will be the true test of its economic potential.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the upcoming aircore drilling confirm bedrock gold mineralisation beneath the soil anomaly?
- How will the Nyan prospect’s potential compare to the nearby King Kong discovery in terms of scale and grade?
- Could the structural trend extending beyond the current anomaly host further untested gold mineralisation?