Skylark Minerals has completed Phase 1 drilling at its M’Basso Prospect, extending gold mineralisation to 750m strike and reporting broad high-grade intersections. The company also secured 100% ownership of the Vavoua Gold Project in Côte d’Ivoire.
- Phase 1 drilling extends M’Basso strike to 750m
- Broad gold intersections include 62m at 1.41 g/t Au
- Phase 2 drilling underway with results pending
- Metallurgical testwork shows 95% gold extraction
- Acquisition of Vavoua Project for A$150,000
M’Basso Drilling Extends Mineralisation and Reveals High-Grade Zones
Skylark Minerals (ASX:SKM) has wrapped up the first phase of its 2026 reverse circulation (RC) drilling campaign at the M’Basso Prospect, part of its flagship Zaranou Gold Project in Côte d’Ivoire. The 38-hole programme, covering 6,667 metres, has confirmed two coherent gold mineralised zones and extended the strike length of mineralisation to approximately 750 metres. Notably, mineralisation remains open along strike and at depth, suggesting room for further resource growth.
The drilling returned several broad gold intersections, with the standout interval being 62 metres at 1.41 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 114 metres in hole ZARC0148. This intercept included higher-grade internal zones such as 23 metres at 2.41 g/t and a 4-metre section grading 6.99 g/t. Other significant results included 24 metres at 3.07 g/t from 233 metres in ZARC0143, which contained a 1-metre high-grade hit of 26.52 g/t.
Phase 2 Step-Out Drilling Commences to Test Extensions
Building on these results, Skylark has initiated Phase 2 step-out drilling targeting the north-eastern extensions of the known mineralised system. Eight holes had been completed by the end of the quarter, with assay results still pending. This phase aims to test continuity beyond the initial footprint and evaluate the potential to expand the mineral resource ahead of an updated estimate.
Metallurgical Testwork Supports Efficient Gold Recovery
Complementing the drilling success, initial metallurgical testing on 16 samples from the 2026 programme demonstrated robust gold extraction using the LeachWELL process. Average gold recovery was approximately 95%, with individual samples ranging between 89% and 99%. These results provide encouraging preliminary evidence for straightforward processing of both oxide and fresh mineralised material from M’Basso.
Strategic Acquisition of Vavoua Project Expands Côte d’Ivoire Footprint
During the quarter, Skylark exercised its option to acquire 100% of the Vavoua Gold Project for A$150,000, funded from existing cash reserves. Located in central Côte d’Ivoire, Vavoua covers approximately 537 square kilometres and lies about 20 kilometres north of the operating Abujar Gold Mine. The project is situated within a prolific structural corridor hosting several significant gold deposits, yet remains underexplored at depth.
Historical exploration at Vavoua includes auger sampling and around 8,000 metres of Air Core drilling, with noteworthy gold intersections such as 2 metres at 6.4 g/t Au from 27 metres. The company plans systematic exploration including ground reconnaissance, infill geochemical sampling, and drill testing of priority targets.
Corporate Position and Shareholder Alignment Strengthened
Skylark ended the quarter with a cash balance of A$4.85 million, maintaining a solid financial position to support ongoing exploration. Directors and management have demonstrated confidence in the company’s prospects by acquiring over 5.3 million shares for approximately A$1.36 million between April and mid-July, increasing alignment with shareholders.
Looking ahead, Skylark plans to complete Phase 2 drilling at M’Basso, continue drilling at the nearby Ehuasso Prospect, and integrate the 2026 results into updated geological models and Mineral Resource Estimates. The company is also advancing exploration at the Maphai Project and evaluating further metallurgical and technical studies to refine its understanding of the Zaranou corridor.
Bottom Line?
Skylark’s extended drilling results and strategic acquisition position it well for resource growth in Côte d’Ivoire, but upcoming assay results and resource updates will be critical to confirming the scale and quality of its gold assets.
Questions in the middle?
- Will Phase 2 drilling confirm continuity and extensions beyond the current mineralised footprint?
- How might the high gold extraction rates influence future processing and project economics at M’Basso?
- What exploration potential does the underexplored Vavoua Project hold beyond historical shallow drilling?