DeSoto Resources has restarted a 10,000m power auger drilling program and launched a 6,262-line kilometre airborne geophysical survey across multiple projects in Guinea’s Siguiri Basin following government approval after a pause due to illegal mining enforcement.
- 10,000m power auger drilling targets historic high-grade gold zones
- 6,262-line kilometre airborne magnetic and radiometric survey underway
- Fieldwork paused due to illegal mining crackdown, now resumed with government approval
- DeSoto holds one of the largest land packages in the Siguiri Basin
- Ongoing soil sampling results pending to refine drill targets
Drilling Resumes After Government Enforcement Pause
DeSoto Resources Limited (ASX:DES) has recommenced field operations in Guinea’s prolific Siguiri Basin, restarting a 10,000-metre power auger drilling program at its Timbakouna Gold Project. This follows a temporary halt prompted by a government crackdown on illegal mining activities that disrupted access and operations across the region. After securing official approval and ensuring staff safety, DeSoto has now resumed drilling and fieldwork, with two power auger rigs returning to site and line cutting activities recommencing without heavy machinery.
Historic High-Grade Gold Targets Drive Exploration
The Timbakouna project covers a 6-kilometre corridor of artisanal workings and historic drill intercepts that include standout results such as 18 metres at 11.8 grams per tonne gold from 48 metres depth, with individual assays reaching up to 78.8 g/t Au. These high-grade zones have seen limited modern follow-up, and DeSoto’s drilling aims to test beneath lateritic cover and saprolite layers to better understand bedrock gold mineralisation. The program complements ongoing soil sampling and is designed to refine drill targets along well-defined structural trends associated with artisanal mining.
Comprehensive Airborne Geophysical Survey Underway
In parallel with drilling, DeSoto has launched an extensive airborne geophysical survey spanning 6,262 line kilometres across multiple projects, including Timbakouna, Dadjan, Tolè, Nèrèkoro Sud, Koba, Kassa Est, and Mini. The survey uses 100-metre spaced lines with 1,000-metre tie-line spacing to generate magnetic and radiometric datasets alongside digital terrain models. Scheduled for completion within 2 to 3 weeks, the data will support generative drill targeting by delineating key structures, lithological contacts, and alteration zones that are critical for advancing exploration in the underexplored Siguiri Basin.
Strategic Landholding Positions DeSoto as Key Basin Player
Since acquiring its Guinea portfolio in early 2025, DeSoto has amassed approximately 1,300 square kilometres of exploration tenure across 22 permits and reconnaissance authorisations, making it the fifth-largest landholder in the Siguiri Basin. This strategic position allows the company to apply a basin-scale structural interpretation approach to prioritise targets and streamline exploration efforts. The Siguiri Basin, part of the Birimian Gold Province, is renowned for its rich gold endowment and diverse deposit styles, offering fertile ground for new discoveries.
Exploration Progress Hinges on Pending Assays and Regulatory Stability
DeSoto’s recent infill soil sampling at priority anomaly zones within Timbakouna is ongoing, with assay results awaited. The combination of soil geochemistry, historic drilling, and airborne geophysics is expected to sharpen drill targeting in the coming months. However, the recent government enforcement action against illegal mining underscores the regulatory risks inherent in the region. Continued engagement with authorities and progress on permit applications will be critical for maintaining operational momentum and unlocking the full potential of DeSoto’s extensive land package.
Bottom Line?
DeSoto’s return to drilling and airborne surveying marks a pivotal step in testing high-grade gold targets, but upcoming assay results and regulatory developments will be key to defining the project’s next phase.
Questions in the middle?
- Will ongoing soil sampling confirm coherent gold anomalies to justify deeper drilling?
- How will the government’s stance on illegal mining affect operational stability going forward?
- Can DeSoto leverage its large land position to attract partnerships or accelerate resource definition?