Dalaroo Metals is gearing up to launch a 20,000-metre drilling campaign at its Bondoukou Gold Project in Côte d’Ivoire, starting with a 10,000-metre Reverse Circulation program at the Wilfred Target in August 2026.
- 20,000m combined RC and diamond drilling planned in 2026
- Phase 1 focuses 10,000m RC drilling at Wilfred Target
- Phases 2 and 3 to deploy targeted diamond drilling across Wilfred, Mag, and Ali
- Final site preparations and community engagement underway
- Staged drilling strategy aims to refine geological models and manage costs
Maiden Drilling Campaign Targets Wilfred Gold Corridor
Dalaroo Metals Ltd (ASX:DAL) is poised to kick off a significant exploration push at its Bondoukou Gold Project in Côte d’Ivoire, with a 20,000-metre drilling campaign scheduled to commence in early August 2026. The initial phase will deploy approximately 10,000 metres of Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling focused squarely on the Wilfred Target, the largest and most promising of three priority zones along the roughly 7-kilometre Gold Ridge corridor.
The Wilfred Target spans about 3 kilometres and boasts strong geological, structural, and geochemical indicators, including anomalous gold soil geochemistry, favourable geological contacts, interpreted structures, and artisanal workings. Concentrating the maiden drilling effort here reflects a strategic decision to generate a robust dataset capable of testing the geological model and evaluating the continuity and orientation of gold mineralisation beneath surface anomalies.
Staged Drilling Strategy Balances Cost and Discovery
Dalaroo’s exploration blueprint applies a methodical, phased approach to drilling. Phase 1 utilises RC drilling, selected for its faster penetration and lower cost per metre compared to diamond drilling, enabling the company to test a broader array of priority targets efficiently. Individual RC holes will target depths between 100 and 150 metres to probe beneath soil and auger gold anomalies.
Following Phase 1, Dalaroo plans to transition to diamond drilling in Phases 2 and 3, collectively comprising around 10,000 metres. These phases will target the strongest mineralised zones identified by RC drilling, initially at Wilfred and subsequently expanding to the Mag and Ali targets. Diamond drilling will provide continuous core samples essential for detailed geological and structural analysis, enhancing understanding of mineralisation controls and refining the geological model.
Operational Preparations and Community Engagement
Site preparations are advancing swiftly. Drill pad construction is slated to start imminently at Wilfred, with the drilling contractor having completed access inspections and logistical assessments. Final drill-hole locations are being pegged, integrating the latest soil geochemical, auger drilling, and structural data to optimise the Phase 1 drill design.
Community engagement remains a priority, with Dalaroo’s Côte d’Ivoire team maintaining open dialogue with local villages, landholders, and stakeholders to ensure transparency and minimise disruption. The company emphasises local participation through employment and procurement initiatives, aiming to foster sustainable relationships that support long-term project success.
Gold Ridge Exploration Potential and Next Steps
The Bondoukou Gold Project’s Gold Ridge corridor has evolved from an initial geological concept into a substantial target area supported by multiple datasets, including soil geochemistry, auger drilling, geological mapping, and artisanal workings distribution. The upcoming drilling campaign represents the first systematic test at depth to validate whether the extensive surface gold anomalism corresponds to a significant bedrock mineralised system.
Immediate next steps include drill pad preparation, rig mobilisation, and commencement of the Phase 1 RC program. As assay results flow in, the company will progressively refine its geological model and prioritise diamond drilling targets for subsequent phases. The final scope and sequencing of Phases 2 and 3 remain contingent on Phase 1 outcomes, funding, and operational conditions.
Dalaroo’s CEO John Morgan highlighted the deliberate, technically driven focus on Wilfred, noting that concentrating drilling metres there maximises the chance of identifying coherent mineralised zones and provides a solid foundation for diamond drilling. This staged approach balances cost efficiency with discovery potential, positioning the company to optimise its 20,000-metre campaign across the Gold Ridge corridor.
Bottom Line?
Dalaroo’s phased drilling approach at Bondoukou aims to efficiently unlock gold potential while managing exploration risk and cost.
Questions in the middle?
- Will Phase 1 RC drilling confirm the continuity of gold mineralisation at Wilfred?
- How will assay results influence the scale and focus of diamond drilling in Phases 2 and 3?
- What impact will community engagement and operational logistics have on the drilling timeline?