Skylark Minerals has completed Phase 1 drilling at its M’Basso Prospect, defining a 750m mineralised strike and identifying a new eastern gold zone. Metallurgical tests show 95% gold extraction, supporting a straightforward processing route.
- Phase 1 drilling defines 750m strike at M’Basso
- New eastern mineralised zone discovered
- Multiple broad, high-grade gold intersections reported
- Metallurgical testwork averages 95% gold extraction
- Phase 2 step-out drilling underway targeting resource growth
Phase 1 Drilling Reveals Extensive Gold Mineralisation
Skylark Minerals Limited (ASX:SKM) has confirmed a substantial extension of gold mineralisation at its flagship Zaranou Gold Project in Côte d’Ivoire, with Phase 1 drilling at the M’Basso Prospect defining a 750-metre strike length that remains open in all directions. The company completed 38 reverse circulation (RC) drill holes totalling 6,667 metres, reporting multiple broad gold intersections including a standout 31-metre interval in hole ZARC0163.
Notably, the latest assays identified two continuous mineralised zones alongside a previously unrecognised broad eastern zone intersected in hole ZARC0166. High-grade intervals punctuate these zones, such as 22 metres at 1.92 g/t gold from 120 metres downhole in ZARC0165, including an 8-metre section grading 4.69 g/t and a 1-metre spike at 24.27 g/t.
Metallurgical Testwork Supports Simple Processing
Complementing the drilling results, metallurgical testing on 16 samples from the 2026 programme, encompassing both oxide and fresh rock, delivered an average LeachWELL gold extraction of 95% at the MSA Laboratory in Yamoussoukro. Individual recoveries ranged from 89% to 99%, suggesting favourable leaching characteristics across the mineralised material.
Skylark highlighted that these encouraging preliminary results indicate a potentially straightforward and cost-effective processing pathway, although further detailed metallurgical testwork remains necessary before any economic conclusions can be drawn.
Phase 2 Drilling Targets Resource Expansion
With Phase 1 complete, Skylark has commenced Phase 2 step-out drilling at M’Basso, aiming to infill gaps and extend the mineralised strike further. Eight holes have been drilled with assays pending, while plans are underway to mobilise a second RC rig to accelerate drilling at the nearby Ehuasso Prospect by late June 2026.
The company anticipates a Mineral Resource Estimate upgrade for the Zaranou Project in the fourth quarter of 2026, reflecting the positive trajectory of the ongoing drill campaign and metallurgical progress.
Strategic Importance of the Central Zone
Executive Chair Nikolai Zelenski emphasised the Central Zone’s significance, which spans eight kilometres and includes M’Basso, Ehuasso, and Coffee Bean prospects. He noted that drilling has not only increased strike length but also deepened the vertical profile by roughly three times compared to historical air core drilling, revealing thicker and bulkier mineralisation than previously anticipated.
Zelenski also pointed out that all drilling remains within depths typical for open pit mining in West Africa, which bodes well for future development potential. The consistent metallurgical performance along the Central Zone further bolsters confidence in the project’s economic prospects.
Zaranou Project’s Growing Footprint in Côte d’Ivoire
Skylark’s Zaranou Project covers 287 square kilometres with approximately 47 kilometres of prospective strike. The current inferred Mineral Resource Estimate stands at 364,600 ounces at 1.8 g/t gold. The company’s broader Côte d’Ivoire portfolio includes the wholly owned Vavoua Project and the earn-in Maphai Project, both strategically located within established mining districts.
Skylark’s ongoing drilling campaign builds on earlier results that expanded the known mineralisation at M’Basso and other prospects, reinforcing the company’s position in a Tier One West African gold jurisdiction.
Bottom Line?
Skylark’s robust Phase 1 drilling and metallurgical results at M’Basso lay solid groundwork for resource growth, but the upcoming Phase 2 assays and detailed metallurgical studies will be pivotal in shaping the project’s development pathway.
Questions in the middle?
- Will Phase 2 drilling confirm continuity of the new eastern mineralised zone at M’Basso?
- How will further metallurgical variability testing impact processing design and costs?
- What scale of resource upgrade can be expected in the Q4 2026 Mineral Resource Estimate?