Ariana Resources has reported broad and high-grade gold intercepts from metallurgical and exploration drilling at its Dokwe project in Zimbabwe. The company has now shipped eight tonnes of samples to China for feasibility-level metallurgical testwork, while further drilling and DFS work remain ahead.
- 24m at 4.71g/t gold at Dokwe North
- 98m at 2.85g/t gold at Dokwe Central
- 2m at 17.31g/t gold on the northeastern flank
- Eight tonnes of samples shipped to China
- DFS technical work planned through Q1 2027
Broad Intercepts Strengthen Dokwe Drilling Case
Ariana Resources plc (ASX:AA2) has produced a strong batch of drilling results from its 100%-owned Dokwe Gold Project in Zimbabwe, including a 98-metre interval grading 2.85 grams per tonne of gold at Dokwe Central and 24 metres at 4.71g/t at Dokwe North.
The headline Dokwe North result, from hole DPD141, included two metres at 46.95g/t. At Dokwe Central, hole DPD150 also contained a one-metre interval grading 93.72g/t within the broader intercept. Other notable results included 68 metres at 2.03g/t in DPD142, 41 metres at 1.51g/t in DPD148 and 59 metres at 1.52g/t in DPD152.
These are downhole sample lengths rather than calculated true widths, so the reported intervals should not be treated as direct estimates of mineable thickness. Even so, the results add definition to the extensive mineralised zones that sit within the current Dokwe North and Central resource areas.
Metallurgical Samples Reach China
The metallurgical programme covered 2,822 metres across 15 diamond holes. Ariana has now delivered eight tonnes of mineralised material to Yantai, China, where Hongkong Xinhai Mining Services will undertake feasibility-level metallurgical testwork. The resulting recovery and processing data is intended to feed into the definitive feasibility study, but no testwork outcomes have yet been reported.
The timing matters because Dokwe’s feasibility work is moving from resource definition towards the technical questions that determine how the ore could be processed. Ariana says it remains funded to complete the DFS technical work programmes during the first quarter of calendar 2027, although the project still depends on further technical, regulatory and development steps.
Northeastern Extension Still Open
Four follow-up exploration holes, totalling 1,005 metres, tested the eastern flank of Dokwe North and the ground between the deposit and a proposed waste-rock dump. Hole DPD154 returned several moderate intervals, including eight metres at 1.45g/t and 10 metres at 1.02g/t, while DPD155 produced two metres at 17.31g/t.
Ariana said the drilling encountered the northeastern extension predicted by its geological model. The company plans additional drilling around the current resource to support possible conversion of material into reserves, investigate further upside and complete sterilisation testing for proposed mining infrastructure. Two holes targeting the waste-rock-dump area showed strong pyrite but no significant gold results, information the company expects to use in designing sterilisation drilling planned for the fourth quarter of 2026.
Bottom Line?
The drilling has improved the geological picture, but the next meaningful test is whether Xinhai’s metallurgical results can translate broad gold zones into a workable DFS process design.
Questions in the middle?
- What gold recoveries and processing characteristics will the eight tonnes of samples produce?
- Will the northeastern drilling support a material resource or reserve update?
- Can the planned Q1 2027 DFS timetable accommodate further drilling, sterilisation work and permitting requirements?