African Gold Unveils Third Major Gold Discovery at Didievi Project
African Gold Limited (ASX: A1G) has confirmed a significant third gold discovery at its Didievi Gold Project in CĂ´te d'Ivoire, with new drilling results from the Pranoi Prospect showcasing shallow, high-grade gold mineralisation just 11 kilometers north of its established Blaffo Guetto resource.
Pranoi Emerges as Promising Satellite Deposit
Recent drilling at the Pranoi Prospect has delivered impressive intercepts, confirming continuous gold mineralisation over a 600-meter strike length with potential to extend beyond 1.5 kilometers. The discovery marks the third significant mineralised system identified on the Didievi tenement.
Key recent drill results include:
- 25m at 1.6g/t Au from 83m including 10m at 2.4g/t Au (DDD091)
- 15m at 1.7g/t Au from 51m including 9m at 2.4g/t Au (DDD090)
- 9m at 3.8g/t Au from 109m (DDD088)
These results build on previously reported high-grade intercepts:
- 8m at 6.5g/t Au from 39m (DDD031)
- 9m at 4.1g/t Au from 52m (DRC009)
- 3m at 7.9g/t Au from 66m (DDD087)
The latest drilling marks the first interception of over 20 meters of gold mineralisation at Pranoi, suggesting the presence of a much larger system than previously understood.
Multi-Deposit Potential Strengthens Didievi Project
The discovery at Pranoi significantly enhances the development potential of the broader Didievi Gold Project, which now features three distinct mineralised systems:
- Blaffo Guetto: Established maiden resource of 4.93Mt at 2.9g/t gold (452,000oz)
- Poku Trend: Growing bulk tonnage potential
- Pranoi Prospect: Newly confirmed satellite deposit with high-grade potential
What makes Pranoi particularly valuable is that it closely mirrors the same shallow, high-grade, open-pittable style of mineralisation seen at Blaffo Guetto, making it an ideal complement to future mine development plans.
Understanding Grade-Thickness in Gold Exploration
For investors new to gold exploration, the grade-thickness metric is a crucial concept for evaluating drill results. This measurement combines the thickness of a mineralised intercept with its grade, providing a more complete picture of economic potential.
Grade-thickness is calculated by multiplying the thickness (in meters) of a mineralised intercept by its grade (in grams per tonne). This produces a value in "gram-meters" that helps compare different intersections and assess their relative economic importance.
For example, a 25-meter intercept at 1.6g/t gold represents a grade-thickness value of 40 gram-meters. Higher grade-thickness values generally indicate more robust mineralisation that could contribute significantly to a future resource.
The recent Pranoi results, showing multiple intercepts with substantial thickness and respectable grades, suggest potential for economic extraction, particularly given the prospect's proximity to the established Blaffo Guetto resource.
Drill Hole | Intercept | Grade (g/t Au) | Grade-Thickness (gram-meters) |
---|---|---|---|
DDD091 | 25m | 1.6 | 40 |
DDD090 | 15m | 1.7 | 25.5 |
DDD088 | 9m | 3.8 | 34.2 |
DDD031 | 8m | 6.5 | 52 |
Future Exploration and Development Timeline
African Gold is pursuing an aggressive exploration and development strategy across the Didievi tenement:
Timeline | Milestone |
---|---|
H2 2025 | Blaffo Guetto resource update |
2025 | Continued regional exploration across ten identified prospects |
Ongoing | Systematic drilling at Pranoi to define resource boundaries |
Of particular significance is that only two of ten regional prospects on the Didievi tenement have been drilled to date, highlighting the substantial exploration upside remaining across the project.
Strategic Significance for African Gold
The confirmation of a third gold discovery at Didievi significantly strengthens African Gold's position in CĂ´te d'Ivoire's growing gold sector. CEO Adam Oehlman highlighted the strategic importance of these results:
"We are extremely encouraged by the confirmation of a third mineralised system on the Didievi tenement. These results continue to validate our belief that Didievi hosts a large, fertile gold system with multiple high-quality targets. With only two of ten regional prospects drilled to date, the scale of the opportunity is exceptional. The satellite deposits we are uncovering would be considered standalone targets for many companies, this level of optionality adds tremendous value to the Blaffo Guetto MRE."
Geological Setting of the Didievi Project
The Didievi Project is situated within the central portion of the Oumé-Fetekro Birimian greenstone belt in Côte d'Ivoire. This geological formation is part of the Proterozoic basement in the Baoulé-Mossi domain of the West African Craton, formed between 2.2 and 1.9 billion years ago.
The belt stretches approximately 300 kilometers in a northeast-southwest direction, with widths varying from 5 to 40 kilometers. The Didievi lease specifically falls within the Oumé-Hire portion of this belt, where the predominant rock types include:
- Metamorphosed sedimentary rocks (shales, sandstones, wackes, and quartzites)
- Intercalated conglomerates aligned in a northeast-southwest direction
- Various mafic intrusions and felsic porphyries
All rocks in the region have undergone greenschist facies metamorphism. The gold mineralisation is typically hosted in intensely deformed rocks, often representing brittle and ductile shear zones.
Why Investors Should Watch African Gold
African Gold is rapidly establishing itself as a significant player in West African gold exploration, with several compelling investment factors:
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Multiple Gold Discoveries: Three confirmed mineralised systems with similar characteristics, suggesting a large-scale gold district
-
Resource Growth Potential: Established maiden resource at Blaffo Guetto with significant expansion potential through both resource updates and satellite deposits
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District-Scale Opportunity: Ten identified prospects across the tenement with only two drilled to date
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Exploration Momentum: Ongoing drilling programs consistently delivering positive results
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Strategic Location: Operating in CĂ´te d'Ivoire, a mining-friendly jurisdiction that hosts several world-class gold operations
The identification of Pranoi as a potential satellite deposit to complement the established Blaffo Guetto resource demonstrates African Gold's systematic approach to unlocking value across its tenements. For investors seeking exposure to gold exploration with near-term development potential, African Gold's progress at Didievi warrants close attention through 2025 and beyond.
Orogenic Gold Deposits in West Africa
The gold mineralisation at Didievi exhibits characteristics typical of orogenic gold deposits, a type commonly found throughout the West African craton. These deposits form during mountain-building events when deep-seated geological processes create structural pathways for gold-bearing fluids to migrate upward and precipitate.
Key characteristics of orogenic gold deposits include:
- Structural Control: Mineralisation typically follows regional structural features such as shear zones, faults, and fold hinges
- Quartz-Carbonate Veining: Gold often occurs within quartz-carbonate veins and associated alteration zones
- Predictable Alteration Patterns: Progressive alteration halos surrounding mineralisation, typically featuring silicification, sericitization, and sulphide development
- Vertical Continuity: Often display significant vertical extent, sometimes continuing for kilometers down-dip
West Africa has emerged as one of the world's premier gold provinces, with numerous multi-million-ounce orogenic gold deposits discovered across Ghana, Mali, Burkina Faso, and increasingly, CĂ´te d'Ivoire. The geological setting at Didievi shares characteristics with many of these successful projects, supporting the potential for significant resource growth.
Ready to Capitalise on African Gold's Growing Potential?
Discover how African Gold's expanding portfolio of high-grade gold discoveries at the Didievi Project could present a compelling investment opportunity. With three confirmed mineralised systems and only two of ten regional prospects drilled to date, the company is methodically building a significant gold district in CĂ´te d'Ivoire. To learn more about African Gold Limited (ASX: A1G) and stay updated on their latest exploration results, visit their website today.