THE FOCUS IN AFRICA ISSUE | 2020
PROJECTS
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A gold discovery
xperienced geologist Peter Ledwidge and his team have made five discoveries in West Africa, including the Napié Project. Located in the northern parts of Ivory Coast, test results from drilling programmes look promising. Ledwidge is the managing director of Mako Gold, an exploration company responsible for the Napié Project. Speaking to Inside Mining via Zoom, Ledwidge shares that the company had another project for which it announced a discovery in January 2019 – the Niou Project. Located in Burkina Faso, the project saw the signing of a sale agreement in May 2020 to Nordgold. Ledwidge explains that the reason for selling the project was so that the team could focus fully on the Napié Project.
Project in detail From north to south, the project is 30 km long, with four prospects identified. The prospects are Gogbala,
that makes a
difference Some of the biggest gold producing mines are found in West Africa. The gold mineral potential in the region is massive, with unexplored gold deposits situated in various countries across the region. By Dineo Phoshoko Tchaga, Tchaga East and Tchaga North. Ledwidge explains that 75 holes had already been drilled in the Tchaga prospect, with plans to finance additional drilling, which would take the project to resource stage. Mako recently announced a heavily oversubscribed US$3.25 million (R53.41 million) capital raise. With wide intercepts and a good grade, drilling results from the Tchaga prospect were looking good. Some of the results showed 18 m at 3.25 g/t Au from 39 m, 25 m at 3.43 g/t Au from 53 m, and 36 m at 3.09 g/t Au from 43 m. “We are getting those numbers along strike 1.4 km, so there’s really good If you do things potential just on that,” explains Ledwidge. Prior to Covid-19, the estimated time frame ethically, you are for the project to yield resources was in actually doing something Q4 2020. “In Q1 2021, we realistically think good, especially if you we can come out with the resources on that.” Despite the delays as a result of the are working in a pandemic, the project remains on track. developing country.” Preliminary metallurgical work has already been done and results show that both fresh rock and sulfide came back at over 94%. “That’s another box ticked as far as derisking the project goes,” adds Ledwidge. Mineralisation had been tested up to 120 m. “On this last diamond drill programme, we confirmed it now to 185 m.” Ledwidge was also satisfied with the mineralisation, saying that it was consistent during the drilling programme. In fact, the first two drill programmes had 24 holes with impressive intercepts. To date, five drilling programmes have taken place. A map showing the Napié “Once we outline a resource on the Tchaga Project, Project with four prospects
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