Skylark Minerals has expanded the mineralised footprint at its M’Basso Prospect to nearly 2km of strike, confirming continuity of key gold zones and setting the stage for a resource upgrade in Q4 2026.
- M’Basso mineralised strike extended to ~2km
- Phase 2 drilling confirms northeast continuity
- Notable gold intersections include 5m at 5.43 g/t Au
- Resource upgrade targeted early Q4 2026
- Drilling to shift focus to Ehuasso prospect
M’Basso Gold System Nearly Doubles in Strike Length
Skylark Minerals (ASX:SKM) has delivered a significant boost to its Zaranou Gold Project in Côte d’Ivoire, with Phase 2 drilling at the M’Basso Prospect extending the known mineralised strike to approximately 2 kilometres. This expansion nearly triples the strike length from the 750 metres defined during Phase 1, confirming that the principal mineralised structures continue unabated to the north-east and remain open for further growth.
Robust Assay Results Highlight Shallow, Continuous Mineralisation
The latest batch of 24 Reverse Circulation drill holes has reinforced the presence of two coherent gold zones identified earlier this year. Highlights include a standout 5 metres grading 5.43 grams per tonne gold from 68 metres, including a high-grade 3 metres at 9.00 g/t Au, and a broad 45-metre intercept at 0.72 g/t Au from 125 metres depth. These results confirm mineralisation is not only extensive along strike but also occurs at economically attractive shallow depths, with significant intervals above 150 metres vertical depth.
Resource Upgrade and Next Phase Drilling on the Horizon
Skylark’s Executive Chair Nikolai Zelenski emphasised the strategic importance of these results, stating the company’s focus on targeting shallow, continuous mineralised bodies that could underpin mining development. The Phase 2 data is set to feed into an updated Mineral Resource Estimate for M’Basso, expected early in the fourth quarter of 2026. Meanwhile, drilling is winding down at M’Basso with the rig set to move to the nearby Ehuasso prospect, where further assay results are anticipated later in the quarter.
Zaranou Project: A District-Scale Gold Opportunity
The M’Basso Prospect forms part of Skylark’s flagship Zaranou Project, which covers 287 square kilometres and hosts an existing inferred resource of 364,600 ounces at 1.8 g/t Au. The project benefits from shallow average drill depths of just 62 metres to date, facilitating efficient exploration and resource growth. Skylark’s broader Côte d’Ivoire portfolio also includes the recently acquired Vavoua Project and the Maphai Project, both strategically positioned within prolific gold belts.
Drilling Methodology and Quality Assurance
The reported results arise from a rigorous drilling and sampling programme using an Atlas Copco T3W rig and industry-standard Reverse Circulation techniques. Samples were collected at 1-metre intervals, with comprehensive quality control measures including field duplicates and certified reference materials ensuring assay reliability. Assays were conducted by MSA Laboratories using PhotonAssay™ technology, delivering precise gold measurements critical for resource estimation.
Bottom Line?
With M’Basso’s mineralised footprint now stretching to 2km and resource modelling underway, attention turns to how upcoming Ehuasso results might further reshape Skylark’s Côte d’Ivoire gold narrative.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the upcoming M’Basso resource upgrade reveal a materially larger gold inventory?
- How might results from Ehuasso drilling influence Skylark’s exploration priorities in 2027?
- What are the implications of shallow mineralisation for potential mining methods and project economics?