BBM….Massive VMS copper gold discovery About BBM zone
BBM is a grassroots discovery by Awale (see Jan. 11, 2024, news release), whose gold and copper mineralization and alteration system are controlled by a shear zone that follows an intrusive/sedimentary contact. Drilling completed at BBM covers approximately two kilometres of strike along an eight-kilometre-long geochemical gold in termitaria geochemical trend this shear zone. Awale followed up on its January, 2024, BBM discovery with intersections announced in March, 2024 (see March 18, 2024, news release).
All 24 holes, totalling over 6,808 metres, at BBM have intercepted mineralization and were drilled in three phases, with pending results for two holes (OEDD-97 and OEDD-98). Drilling was completed on 13 sections with an average spacing of 100 metres between sections and up to 500 metres stepouts to the southeast. Interpretation of the drilling completed suggests that mineralization at BBM is steeply dipping (70 degrees to 80 degrees) with a gentle plunge (45 degrees to 55 degrees) toward the northwest.
Alteration at BBM is dominated by silica and biotite with pyrite, chalcopyrite and molybdenite as the main sulphide species. Recent drilling has shown the presence of footwall mineralization beyond the footwall contact with metasediments to the north side of the structure, where fingers of granodiorite intrude the footwall metasediments. Drilling has also confirmed grade continuity of the mineralization as well as tested for new parallel shoots along the eight kilometres of open strike. The follow-up drilling reported in this release has outlined a core zone of robust high-grade mineralization over 600 metres and a vertical depth of 250 metres. The two deeper holes with results pending have also intercepted target geology and alteration with sulphide mineralization.
Extending the higher-grade core to over 600 metres demonstrates the robust nature of the mineralization and represents a substantial increase in the BBM zone's definition and potential. Further exploration drilling is expected to enhance the understanding of the target in this promising new region of Ivory Coast. After the wet season, the company plans to advance the BBM target with an 8,000-metre air-core drill program targeting extensions and satellites and reverse circulation drilling in shallower areas within the discovery zone.
The program, which consisted of 3,627 metres drilled across 10 diamond holes and two diamond tails (hole extensions from previous drilling, targeting footwall mineralization), has significantly extended the known high-grade core of the zone to over 600 metres. It also confirmed the potential for further expansion along strike and down dip/plunge as well as within the footwall of the main zone. These results indicate increasing grades at depth and confirm that mineralization remains open along strike and downplunge within the 1.3-kilometre zone. Results are pending for diamond drill holes OEDD-97 and OEDD-98, the two deepest holes for the program, which have traversed target mineralization from approximately 440 metres downhole in OEDD-97 and 430 metres downhole in OEDD-98.
A full table of significant intercepts for the program is provided in the attached table.