Haranga Resources’ Phase 3 RC drilling at Ibel South in Senegal confirms shallow, high-grade gold mineralisation within a broad alteration corridor, with the system remaining open along strike and at depth. The company has lodged a permit renewal and plans a follow-up drilling campaign targeting key extensions.
- Phase 3 RC drilling confirms shallow high-grade gold
- Significant intercepts include 14m at 7.29 g/t Au and 12m at 5.24 g/t Au
- Gold mineralisation extends along a 2km alteration corridor
- System remains open at depth and along strike
- Permit renewal lodged; follow-up drilling planned for late 2026
Shallow High-Grade Gold Confirmed at Ibel South
Haranga Resources (ASX:HAR) has bolstered the prospectivity of its Ibel South Gold Project in Senegal with assay results from its Phase 3 Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling programme. The latest assays confirm shallow, high-grade gold mineralisation within a broad mineralised corridor, reinforcing earlier Aircore (AC) drilling results and expanding the known footprint of the system.
Notable intercepts include 14 metres at 7.29 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 23 metres downhole in hole 26-IBS-RC0001, closely matching a previous AC intercept of 20m at 6.0 g/t Au. Another highlight, hole 26-IBS-RC0005, returned 12m at 5.24 g/t Au from 33m, including a standout 1m at 23.29 g/t Au; the highest grade from the Phase 3 RC programme. These results validate the presence of discrete high-grade shoots within the oxide zone, a key technical foundation for ongoing exploration.
Extensive Mineralised Corridor and Depth Extensions
The drilling has delineated a broad alteration corridor characterised by intense hydrothermal alteration, quartz veining, and pyrite mineralisation, with anomalous gold values typically ranging from 50 to 200 parts per billion (ppb). Surface geochemistry and structural mapping suggest this fertile corridor extends approximately 2 kilometres south of the drilled area, materially increasing the target footprint.
Importantly, the system remains open both along strike and at depth. Isolated deeper intersections, such as 1m at 2.14 g/t Au at 173m downhole and 1m at 0.93 g/t Au at 279m, indicate the gold-bearing structures persist well below the shallow oxide zone tested by Aircore drilling. Hole 26-IBS-RC0013 extended the mineralised corridor northeast by about 50 metres, with 7m at 1.23 g/t Au from 76m, marking the principal untested extension area.
Robust Assay Methodology Supports Results
The entire batch of 864 visually selected 1-metre samples underwent non-destructive Photon Assay at MSA Labs in Mali, a technique validated by independent Fire Assays at SGS and Bureau Veritas laboratories. The verification showed excellent correlation (R² = 0.98–0.99) with minor biases, confirming both high-grade and low-grade anomalous results. A comprehensive QA/QC programme, including certified reference materials, blanks, and field duplicates, demonstrated no significant bias or contamination, supporting the reliability of the assay data.
Permit Renewal and Next Steps
Haranga has lodged its permit renewal application for Ibel South with Senegalese authorities ahead of the statutory deadline, securing tenure over the mineralised corridor and its southern extensions. The renewal process will be accompanied by a detailed review of geological data to inform the next drilling campaign planned for the late 2026 dry season or early 2027.
Priority targets for follow-up drilling include the northeast corridor extension beyond hole RC0013, untested down-plunge positions of high-grade shoots beneath the Aircore bedrock intersections, the southern extension of the alteration corridor towards the 2km gold-anomalous trend, and resolving the source of an isolated high-grade surface anomaly that was not intersected in the recent drilling.
Haranga’s chairman Michael Davy emphasised the significance of the results, noting that the programme "has reinforced the scale potential and prospectivity of Ibel South," providing a clear basis for the next phase of exploration despite the project’s early stage. The company’s systematic approach and robust assay validation strengthen confidence in the project’s potential to evolve into a substantial gold resource.
Bottom Line?
Haranga’s confirmation of shallow high-grade gold within an extensive, open mineralised corridor at Ibel South sets the stage for a pivotal drilling campaign that could materially expand the project’s footprint and resource potential.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the upcoming drilling confirm continuous high-grade shoots at depth beneath the oxide zone?
- How will the permit renewal process impact exploration timelines and potential resource delineation?
- Can the company resolve the source of the isolated high-grade surface anomaly missed in recent drilling?