Dalaroo Metals Advances Gold Exploration in Côte d’Ivoire

Dalaroo Metals Limited (ASX: DAL) has successfully secured comprehensive community and government support for its soil geochemistry program at the Bondoukou Gold Project in Côte d'Ivoire, positioning the company for systematic exploration in one of West Africa's most prolific gold regions. The completed stakeholder engagement represents a critical milestone as Dalaroo Metals gold exploration in Côte d'Ivoire advances toward its first geochemical dataset and potential drill-ready targets.

Community and Government Alignment Creates Operational Excellence

The structured consultation programme across seven key villages within the Bondoukou Project area has generated exceptional stakeholder buy-in. Local authorities, including the Sub-Prefect, have formally authorised field activities and expressed institutional support for the project. This level of engagement has resulted in:

• Full community mobilisation with village leaders, youth representatives, and local stakeholders actively supporting exploration activities

• Local workforce recruitment underway to support the soil geochemistry programme

• Transparent communication channels established for rapid issue resolution

• Strong social licence to operate with communities demonstrating high levels of cooperation

The company's ESG-focused approach has successfully integrated community engagement into all phases of exploration, creating a foundation for long-term partnerships and sustainable operations.

Soil Sampling Programme Gains Momentum Across Priority Targets

With community approval secured, field teams have commenced soil sampling activities with 40% of the planned programme now complete. The systematic approach targets priority areas including:

• Known artisanal workings providing surface evidence of gold mineralisation

• Interpreted structural corridors defined through geological mapping

• 2.5km antiform target zone where previous reconnaissance identified elevated gold values

• 9.5km mineralised trend being tested on consistent grid spacing

Samples are undergoing field preparation and QA/QC procedures following industry best practice, with prepared batches being readied for submission to Intertek Laboratories in Yamoussoukro for multi-element analysis.

Expected Timeline and Results

Understanding Soil Geochemistry: The Foundation of Gold Exploration

Soil geochemistry represents the systematic collection and analysis of soil samples to identify chemical signatures that may indicate underlying mineralisation. In gold exploration, this technique detects trace amounts of gold and associated pathfinder elements that have migrated upward through weathering processes.

The method involves collecting soil samples across a defined grid pattern, typically at regular intervals of 25-100 metres depending on the exploration stage. Laboratory analysis measures concentrations of gold and related elements such as arsenic, antimony, and copper, which commonly associate with gold deposits.

Elevated concentrations can indicate potential mineralised zones beneath the surface. Furthermore, Dalaroo Metals gold exploration in Côte d'Ivoire specifically targets these geological signatures to identify drill-worthy targets.

Why it matters to investors: Soil geochemistry provides the first systematic dataset for identifying drill targets across large areas cost-effectively. Anomalous gold-in-soil results can vector toward potential mineralised structures and help prioritise areas for more expensive drilling programmes.

Success at this stage typically triggers significant value catalysts including trenching programmes, detailed geological mapping, and maiden drilling campaigns.

CEO Commentary
"Securing strong community and government support is a critical milestone for Dalaroo as we commence systematic exploration at Bondoukou. With soil sampling now underway, we are well positioned to generate our first geochemical dataset and rapidly progress towards drill-ready targets," said John Morgan, CEO.

Strategic Location in World-Class Gold Province

The Bondoukou Project's position within the Birimian Greenstone Belt of Côte d'Ivoire places it in one of the most prolific gold provinces globally. Located approximately 35km northwest of Endeavour Mining's Tanda gold deposit, the project benefits from:

Geological Advantages

• Regional shear zones and fault structures controlling gold emplacement

• Volcano-sedimentary contacts typical of regional gold deposits

• Extensive artisanal workings providing surface evidence of mineralisation

• Favourable structural architecture including fold-related structural traps

Regional Context

The Birimian terrane hosts multiple multi-million-ounce gold deposits, with mineralisation typically associated with hydrothermal fluid pathways along major structural corridors. The presence of widespread artisanal mining activity across Bondoukou indicates orogenic-style gold mineralisation potential with both strike and depth continuity.

Gold deposits in this geological setting commonly occur along shear zones where tectonic movement has created pathways for mineralising fluids. These structural controls often extend for kilometres both along strike and at depth, providing targets for systematic exploration programmes.

Investment Thesis: Systematic Approach to Discovery

Dalaroo's methodical advancement through community engagement, systematic geochemistry, and structured exploration targeting positions the company for potential discovery success. Consequently, Dalaroo Metals gold exploration in Côte d'Ivoire represents a compelling investment opportunity in a proven gold jurisdiction.

Near-term Catalysts:

• Geochemical assay results expected late May to early June 2026

• Potential identification of coherent gold-in-soil anomalies

• Fast-tracking of anomalous zones for follow-up programmes

Strategic Positioning:

• Established operational framework with community and government support

• Proven geological setting within world-class gold province

• Systematic exploration approach designed for JORC-compliant targeting

• Clear pathway to drilling through structured target generation

Exploration Pipeline:

Following results interpretation, the company plans to advance through infill soil sampling, trenching programmes, and design of maiden aircore and/or RC drilling programmes. This represents a clear pathway toward initial drill testing and potential for discovery.

Country Manager Perspective
"The successful community engagement programme reflects our commitment to building trust and long-term partnerships with host communities. The level of cooperation and support we have received is exceptional and supports the Company's planned exploration activities," said Frank Twum-Berima Bosompem, Country Manager & Exploration Manager Côte d'Ivoire.

Community Engagement Excellence Sets Operational Standard

The comprehensive consultation campaign across seven villages within the project area demonstrates Dalaroo's commitment to responsible exploration practices. The programme included formal meetings with Village Presidents and Youth Leaders across Amodi, Dingbi, Kouaffo, Kogodjan, Dame, Yao-Kokoroko and Amoatini communities.

Key outcomes from the engagement process include:

• Local workforce integration with training programmes for community workers

• Direct communication protocols established with government authorities

• Environmental considerations addressed through community dialogue

• Employment opportunities prioritised for local participants

This approach aligns with international best practices for mining exploration and creates sustainable foundations for project advancement. The strong social licence establishes Dalaroo's operational credibility in a region where community relations often determine project success.

Technical Excellence in Sample Collection and Analysis

The soil sampling programme follows industry-standard protocols designed to generate JORC-compliant exploration data. Sample collection utilises consistent grid spacing across the 9.5km mineralised trend, with particular focus on the 2.5km antiform target zone where reconnaissance work has identified elevated gold values.

Quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) procedures include appropriate sample handling, field logging, and insertion of control samples following established protocols. Multi-element analysis at Intertek Laboratories in Yamoussoukro will provide comprehensive geochemical data beyond gold, including pathfinder elements that can enhance geological interpretation.

The systematic approach ensures data quality suitable for resource estimation and drill target generation, supporting potential advancement toward maiden drilling programmes upon results interpretation.

Why Investors Should Follow Dalaroo Metals

The successful completion of community engagement and commencement of systematic exploration at Bondoukou demonstrates Dalaroo's operational capability and strategic approach to value creation. With 40% of soil sampling complete and results expected within weeks, the company is positioned for multiple near-term catalysts that could significantly advance the project.

The combination of strong stakeholder relationships, systematic exploration methodology, and strategic location within a world-class gold province creates compelling upside potential. As the company progresses toward its first comprehensive geochemical dataset, investors have the opportunity to participate in early-stage exploration with clear pathways to discovery.

Investment Highlights:

• Immediate catalysts with assay results due late May to early June 2026

• Systematic exploration approach following international best practices

• Strong operational foundation with government and community support

• World-class geological setting in proven gold province

• Clear value pathway from soil geochemistry to potential drill programmes

The methodical progression from community engagement through systematic geochemistry represents textbook exploration advancement. In addition, Dalaroo Metals gold exploration in Côte d'Ivoire positions the company for potential discovery success in one of Africa's premier gold regions, offering investors exposure to early-stage exploration with substantial upside potential.

Want to Capitalise on Dalaroo's Strategic Position in West Africa's Gold Corridor?

With 40% of the soil sampling programme now complete and assay results expected within weeks, Dalaroo Metals is positioned for multiple near-term catalysts that could unlock significant value at the Bondoukou Gold Project. The company's systematic exploration approach, combined with exceptional community support and strategic location just 35km from Endeavour Mining's Tanda deposit, creates a compelling opportunity for investors seeking early-stage exposure to one of Africa's most prolific gold regions. To explore how Dalaroo's methodical advancement toward drill-ready targets could benefit your investment portfolio, visit www.dalaroometals.com.au for comprehensive company information, project updates, and investor resources.