Dalaroo Metals Ltd
- ASX Code: DAL
- Market Cap: $24,747,442
Dalaroo Metals Completes Drill Pads Ahead of Fully Funded 12,000-Metre Maiden RC Program at Bondoukou
Dalaroo Metals (ASX: DAL, OTCQB: DALMF) has confirmed that drill pads and access routes are complete at its Bondoukou Gold Ridge Project in Côte d'Ivoire, clearing the way for the Dalaroo Metals maiden drilling campaign at Bondoukou Gold Ridge. According to the ASX announcement dated 10 August 2026, the fully funded 12,000-metre Phase 1 program is scheduled to commence no later than 15 August 2026, marking the first direct test at depth of three priority gold targets: Mag, Wilfred and Ali.
The announcement follows a series of surface exploration results reported over recent months, including peak soil assays of up to 23.26 g/t gold and a defined ~7 km gold corridor across the project area. Initial assay results from the drilling program are expected approximately four to six weeks after the first sample batches reach the laboratory.
"With the 12,000-metre Phase 1 program fully funded, drilling scheduled to commence no later than 15 August and initial assay results expected approximately four to six weeks after the first sample batches are delivered to the laboratory, Dalaroo is entering an exciting and potentially defining period of exploration at the Bondoukou Gold Ridge Project," said John Morgan, Chief Executive Officer of Dalaroo Metals.
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Why This Drilling Milestone Matters
The Bondoukou Gold Ridge Project is situated within the Birimian Greenstone Belt, a geological formation in West Africa recognised for hosting a number of significant gold discoveries and operating mines. Despite the surface geochemistry already documented at Gold Ridge, the report notes that the Mag, Wilfred and Ali targets have never previously been drilled.
According to the announcement, the drilling program has been developed by integrating soil and auger geochemistry, geological mapping, magnetic interpretation and the distribution of artisanal workings — small-scale informal mining activity often indicating near-surface gold mineralisation. This combined dataset is intended to test the geological and structural controls on targeted gold mineralisation beneath the surface anomalies identified to date.
The Phase 1 program was expanded from 10,000 metres to 12,000 metres following the company's recent capital raising, according to the announcement. This expansion is designed to allow systematic testing of all three targets within a single phase rather than deferring coverage to subsequent programs.
The Three Priority Targets Under Investigation
Each target identified at Gold Ridge has reportedly been defined through multiple independent lines of geological evidence.
| Target | Key Supporting Evidence |
|---|---|
| Mag | Integrated soil/auger geochemistry, magnetic anomaly, artisanal working distribution |
| Wilfred | Surface gold anomalism, geological mapping, interpreted structural controls |
| Ali | Auger geochemistry, magnetic interpretation, artisanal workings |
Previous exploration announcements referenced in the report include a ~7 km gold corridor with a peak surface soil assay of 23.26 g/t gold, disclosed on 15 June 2026, and a separate 2.5 km drill target defined on 19 March 2026.
How the Phase 1 Program Has Been Structured
According to the announcement, the 12,000-metre program has been designed in two stages, beginning with a discovery-focused opening sequence before transitioning to systematic follow-up drilling.
Phase 1 Program Summary
| Stage | Indicative Holes | Average Depth | Total Metres |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Orientation (Scissor) Drilling | 24 | 175 m | 4,200 m |
| Follow-up Fence Drilling | 78 | 100 m | 7,800 m |
| Total Program | 102 | – | 12,000 m |
Stage 1: Opening Scissor-Hole Sequence
The program opens with 24 holes drilled in opposing directions at each of the three targets. Per the announcement, this approach is intended to reduce the risk that opening holes are drilled parallel or sub-parallel to targeted mineralised structures — a scenario that can produce misleading negative results in early-stage drilling.
The company states that results from each completed hole will be reviewed as drilling progresses, allowing geological observations to inform subsequent hole design.
Stage 2: Systematic Fence Drilling
Following geological review of the scissor holes, drilling is expected to progress into 78 fence holes spread across 11 drill fences at Mag, Wilfred and Ali. According to the report, fence spacing, collar spacing, depths and orientations will be refined using geometry established during the initial stage.
Where practical, fence positions will align with existing surface sampling lines to support integration with existing geochemical and magnetic datasets. Furthermore, the company noted the program will be actively managed rather than treated as a fixed sequence, with individual holes potentially moved, extended, shortened, reoriented or replaced as geological understanding develops.
Understanding Scissor Drilling: A Technical Primer
Scissor drilling, also referred to as cross-drilling, is an exploration technique where opening holes at a new target are drilled in opposing directions, forming a shape resembling crossed lines when viewed in cross-section.
Gold mineralisation in greenstone belt settings is often hosted in steeply dipping or angled structural zones, including shear zones, faults or quartz vein systems. A drill hole oriented parallel to such a structure may travel alongside it without intersecting meaningful mineralisation, potentially producing a false negative result.
By drilling in opposing directions from the outset, the approach is designed to increase the likelihood that at least one opening hole crosses a target structure at a useful angle, while also generating information about the structure's dip, dip direction and true width. This information is then used to inform the orientation of subsequent fence holes.
Quick Glossary
- RC Drilling (Reverse Circulation): A method using compressed air to force rock chips up through drill rods to surface, providing a continuous sample stream for analysis
- Fence Drilling: A systematic series of holes arranged along parallel lines to test mineralisation across a defined area
- Geochemical Anomaly: An area where sampling has returned gold concentrations above background levels, suggesting a possible mineralised source below
- Birimian Greenstone Belt: A West African geological formation approximately 2.1 to 2.2 billion years old, associated with substantial gold mineralisation across the region
Assay Timeline and Reporting Cadence
The announcement outlines a sample management process intended to maintain a consistent flow of information throughout the Dalaroo Metals maiden drilling campaign at Bondoukou Gold Ridge. Samples will be collected and dispatched to Intertek on approximately a weekly basis — an approach the company states is designed to avoid the buildup of large batches.
Based on current laboratory guidance cited in the announcement, initial assay results are expected approximately four to six weeks after delivery of each sample batch. Selected batches may, however, be submitted for expedited analysis where logging identifies priority features such as strong alteration, elevated sulphide content or significant quartz veining.
"The opening scissor holes are designed to answer the key geological questions early in the program. By drilling in opposing directions at each prospect, we can better understand the orientation and geometry of the targeted mineralised structures before advancing into systematic fence drilling across all three targets," said Frank Twum-Berima Bosompem, Exploration Manager – Côte d'Ivoire.
A Broader 20,000-Metre Phased Strategy
According to the announcement, Phase 1 represents the opening stage of a broader planned 20,000-metre drilling program across the Gold Ridge corridor.
| Phase | Metres | Status | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | 12,000 m | Fully funded, commencing no later than 15 August 2026 | Test Mag, Wilfred and Ali; establish geological model |
| Phase 2 | To be determined | To be designed using Phase 1 geological model | Target priority zones identified in Phase 1 |
| Phase 3 | To be determined | To be designed using Phase 2 geological model | Further step-out and resource definition drilling |
The design of Phase 2 and Phase 3 will reportedly be informed by the geological model developed during Phase 1, incorporating lithology, alteration patterns, structural controls and assay results as they become available.
Upcoming Milestones for Investors to Monitor
The company has outlined a series of near-term activities following completion of drill pads. Consequently, investors tracking progress on the Dalaroo Metals maiden drilling campaign at Bondoukou Gold Ridge should monitor the following:
- RC drilling commencement, no later than 15 August 2026
- Completion of scissor holes at Mag, Wilfred and Ali
- Progressive sample dispatch to Intertek on approximately a weekly basis
- Initial assay results, expected four to six weeks after first batch delivery
- Transition to systematic fence drilling, subject to geological review
- Continued development of the Gold Ridge geological model incorporating logging, structural data and assay results
Company Background
Dalaroo Metals is an ASX-listed exploration company with a portfolio spanning gold and critical minerals projects across multiple jurisdictions. Beyond Bondoukou Gold Ridge, the company holds the Bongouanou Gold Project in Côte d'Ivoire, the Blue Lagoon Project in south-west Greenland (prospective for rare earth elements, zirconium and niobium), and the Lyons River and Watheroo projects in Western Australia.
The company's stated strategy centres on systematically advancing its projects through modern exploration techniques and resource definition work, with a focus on geological understanding preceding capital-intensive development decisions.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When Is Drilling Expected to Commence at Bondoukou Gold Ridge?
According to the announcement, RC drilling is scheduled to commence no later than 15 August 2026, following completion of final rig mobilisation and remaining site-readiness activities.
How Long Will It Take to Receive Assay Results?
The company has stated that initial assay results are expected approximately four to six weeks after the first sample batches are delivered to the laboratory, based on current guidance from Intertek.
What Targets Will Phase 1 Drilling Test?
The program will test three priority targets — Mag, Wilfred and Ali — each defined through integrated geochemical, geological, magnetic and artisanal working data. In addition, the Dalaroo Metals maiden drilling campaign at Bondoukou Gold Ridge represents the first time any of these targets have been tested at depth.
How Many Holes Are Planned for Phase 1?
The program comprises an indicative 102 holes across 12,000 metres, consisting of 24 initial scissor holes and 78 follow-up fence holes across 11 drill fences.
Ready to Follow Dalaroo Metals' Maiden Drill Campaign at Bondoukou Gold Ridge?
With drill pads complete, a fully funded 12,000-metre RC program set to commence no later than 15 August 2026, and three never-before-drilled gold targets in one of West Africa's most prolific gold belts, Dalaroo Metals (ASX: DAL) is entering a potentially defining period of exploration. Investors looking to learn more about the company's projects, exploration strategy, and upcoming milestones can visit the official Dalaroo Metals website at www.dalaroometals.com.au.
