Rig Mobilisation for Drilling Programme at Dokwe
Ariana Resources PLC announced the mobilization of a reverse circulation rig from South Africa to commence an approximately 11,000m drilling program at its 100%-owned Dokwe Gold Project in Zimbabwe. The initial phase involves a 26-hole program, totaling approximately 4,000m, targeting extensions to the Dokwe North and Central deposits. These deposits host combined resources of 1.1Moz at 1.52g/t Au, using a cut-off grade of 0.6g/t. The program will also test a significant gold-in-soil anomaly northeast of Dokwe North and follow up on historical intercepts near Dokwe Central, with initial assay results expected before year-end.
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Ariana Resources plc (AIM: AAU, ASX: AA2, "Ariana" or the "Company"), the mineral exploration, development and production company with gold project interests in Africa and Europe, is pleased to announce a drilling programme update for the 100% owned, 1.1Moz Dokwe Gold Project ("Dokwe" or "the Project") in Zimbabwe.
Highlights:
o First phase of a c.11,000m drilling programme to commence across Dokwe North and Dokwe Central and their extensions, with the Reverse Circulation ("RC") rig mobilising from South Africa.
o Appointment of Torque Africa, specialised in RC drilling services for the initial phase.
o Four initial targets to be tested, through a 26-hole programme, including extensions to the Dokwe North and Central deposits, among others; site preparations are completed.
o Significant gold-in-soil anomaly identified to the NE of Dokwe North will be drill-tested as a priority.
o Follow-up will be undertaken on several historical intercepts identified in the vicinity of Dokwe Central.
o Drilling is expected to yield initial assay results before the year end.
- Kerim Sener, Managing Director of Ariana Resources, commented:
"We are pleased to have appointed Torque Africa as drilling contractors for the initiation of our exploration programme at Dokwe. We will be utilising an RC drilling rig capable of drilling to depths in excess of 300m to test several targets identified in our recent work programmes in the Dokwe North and Central areas. In addition, the team have identified many other targets across the Dokwe Project area which are expected to be drill-tested as part of the current programme. Following the results of this initial phase of drilling, we anticipate either extending the RC programme or commencing a programme of diamond drilling as a prelude to JORC Resource upgrade, targeted for 2026.
"The Company is excited to be starting this drilling programme following its successful ASX listing and looks forward to continuing to update the market as the programme progresses."
Drilling Programme Update
Ariana has engaged Torque Africa Group to undertake an RC drilling programme at its 100% owned Dokwe Gold Project. Four high-priority exploration targets have been prioritised, including extensions to the Dokwe North and Dokwe Central deposits, which host combined Resources of 1.1Moz @ 1.52g/t Au at a cut-off grade of 0.6g/t (Table 1).
An initial 26-hole programme has been planned as the first c.4,000m phase of a c.11,000m drilling programme. This initial programme follows an extensive and comprehensive review of soil, drill hole, and geophysics datasets, which have resulted in improved geological models for the deposits and across the wider project area. Further details on the target areas and the programme will follow in the coming days.
Torque's Thor 5000 drilling rig has the proven capability to achieve the depths and angles required to test the targets identified, and Ariana has already cleared site access roads and drill pads in readiness to commence the programme imminently.
Dokwe Mineral Resource Estimate
Table 1: In-pit Mineral Resource Estimate for the Dokwe Gold Project.
| PROJECT | CLASSIFICATION (REPORTING CUT-OFF GRADE 0.3g/t Au) | TONNAGE (t) | GRADE (g/t Au) | CONTAINED GOLD (oz) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dokwe North | Measured | 17,309,000 | 1.06 | 592,000 |
| Indicated | 18,562,000 | 0.90 | 537,000 | |
| Inferred | 7,095,000 | 0.82 | 187,000 | |
| Total | 42,966,000 | 0.95 | 1,316,000 | |
| Dokwe Central | Indicated | 1,811,000 | 1.60 | 93,000 |
| Inferred | 120,000 | 1.69 | 7,000 | |
| Total | 1,931,000 | 1.61 | 100,000 | |
| Total | Measured | 17,309,000 | 1.06 | 592,000 |
| Indicated | 20,373,000 | 0.96 | 631,000 | |
| Inferred | 7,214,000 | 0.83 | 193,000 | |
| TOTAL | 44,896,000 | 0.98 | 1,416,000 | |
| PROJECT | CLASSIFICATION (REPORTING CUT-OFF GRADE 0.6g/t Au) | TONNAGE (t) | GRADE (g/t Au) | CONTAINED GOLD (oz) |
| Dokwe North | Measured | 10,220,000 | 1.50 | 493,000 |
| Indicated | 8,260,000 | 1.50 | 399,000 | |
| Inferred | 3,123,000 | 1.33 | 134,000 | |
| Total | 21,604,000 | 1.48 | 1,025,000 | |
| Dokwe Central | Indicated | 1,207,000 | 2.19 | 85,000 |
| Inferred | 98,000 | 1.98 | 6,000 | |
| Total | 1,306,000 | 2.18 | 91,000 | |
| Total | Measured | 10,220,000 | 1.50 | 493,000 |
| Indicated | 9,468,000 | 1.59 | 484,000 | |
| Inferred | 3,222,000 | 1.35 | 140,000 | |
| TOTAL | 22,909,000 | 1.52 | 1,116,000 |
Notes:
- The Dokwe Mineral Resource Estimate is inclusive of Reserves.
Compliance Statements
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