High-Grade Gold Intercepts Signal Major Resource Expansion at Tavsan Mine
Ariana Resources has delivered compelling exploration results from its Tavsan North Zone drilling programme, with standout intercepts including 5.10m @ 7.23g/t Au and 8.50m @ 3.70g/t Au. The 71-hole programme has successfully confirmed mineralisation extends beyond current JORC Resource boundaries both at depth and along strike, setting the stage for a significant resource upgrade expected in Q3 2026.
The drilling campaign has achieved 88% core recovery across 5,345m of HQ diamond drilling, with mineralisation now confirmed across an expanded 90m (dip) by 200m (strike) zone. With Tavsan already boasting a 311,000oz Au JORC Resource and 8-year mine life, these results position the project for substantial resource growth.
Standout Drilling Results Exceed Expectations
The Ariana Resources Tavsan drilling results from the North Zone programme have delivered exceptional high-grade intersections that validate the company's expansion strategy. Furthermore, the most significant results demonstrate both the grade continuity and extensional potential of the deposit.
Key High-Grade Intercepts
| Hole ID | Intercept | Gold Grade | Silver Grade | Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TAV-D002-25 | 5.10m | 7.23g/t Au | 3.61g/t Ag | 76.0m |
| TAV-D138B-25 | 8.50m | 3.70g/t Au | 2.09g/t Ag | 50.7m |
| TAV-D045-25 | 7.30m | 4.02g/t Au | 4.81g/t Ag | 35.8m |
| TAV-D135-25 | 3.40m | 5.01g/t Au | 5.44g/t Ag | 39.4m |
| TAV-D125-25 | 1.90m | 8.41g/t Au | 2.38g/t Ag | 29.8m |
The standout result from TAV-D045-25 includes a spectacular 1.00m @ 21.54g/t Au + 8.31g/t Ag within the broader intersection. This highlights the presence of exceptional grade domains within the mineralised system.
Managing Director Dr. Kerim Sener commented: "This is an excellent set of drilling results from the ongoing Tavsan diamond drilling programme. These results relate to the drilling recently completed in the Tavsan North zone, which will become the next open pit to be developed for the mine."
What Makes These Results Significant?
The drilling programme has successfully achieved its dual objectives of infill drilling for mine planning and peripheral exploration. In addition, mineralisation has been confirmed beyond current resource outlines, extending the known mineralised zone into previously untested areas spanning 50m by 125m gaps between planned pits.
The peripheral drilling has indicated mineralisation continuation deeper than previously modelled. This extends into a 90m by 200m area that wasn't captured in the existing resource estimate. Consequently, this expansion potential directly supports the company's strategy to extend the 8-year mine life at Tavsan.
Understanding JORC Resources: The Foundation of Mining Value
A JORC Resource represents a concentration of material in the Earth's crust with reasonable prospects for economic extraction. The classification system—Measured, Indicated, and Inferred—reflects increasing confidence levels based on geological knowledge and sampling density.
For investors, JORC Resources serve as the foundation for understanding a mining company's asset value. They provide standardised, internationally recognised estimates of contained metal that can be compared across projects and companies.
Higher confidence categories (Measured and Indicated) typically support feasibility studies and mining decisions. However, Inferred Resources often represent future growth potential.
At Tavsan, the current resource classification reflects substantial drilling density with 480 drill holes across 26,074.7m. This provides high confidence in the geological interpretation. Furthermore, the upcoming resource update will incorporate the latest drilling results and potentially upgrade classification categories whilst adding new ounces to the inventory.
Strategic Timeline Points to Q3 2026 Resource Update
Ariana has outlined a clear development pathway for Tavsan, with several key milestones driving near-term value creation. Moreover, the company has demonstrated consistent execution against its strategic objectives.
Immediate Development Focus
- Heap-leach operations commenced October 2025 with production from the Main Zone
- North Zone development as the next open pit planned for extraction
- Continued drilling programme targeting Main and South Zone extensions
- 15,000m total drilling programme expected completion by Q3 2026
Resource Growth Pathway
The company expects to complete a comprehensive JORC Resource update at the conclusion of the expanded drilling programme. With over 9,480m already completed by Q3 2025 and mineralisation confirmed beyond existing boundaries, the update has strong potential to significantly increase the current 311,000oz Au resource base.
Quality assurance protocols remain robust throughout the programme. Samples are analysed at the TÜRKAK-accredited Kiziltepe Mine Laboratory with 10% external validation through ALS Global Izmir, ensuring data integrity for the upcoming resource calculation.
How Do These Results Compare to Industry Standards?
The Ariana Resources Tavsan drilling results demonstrate grades that significantly exceed industry averages for similar gold deposits. For instance, the average grade of 4.02g/t Au over 7.30m from TAV-D045-25 compares favourably to typical open-pit gold operations, which often target grades below 2g/t Au.
Additionally, the consistent presence of silver mineralisation provides valuable by-product credits. The silver grades ranging from 2.09g/t to 5.44g/t Ag enhance the overall economics of the mineralised zones.
Investment Thesis: Operational Mine with Expansion Upside
Tavsan represents a unique investment proposition combining immediate production with substantial growth potential. The project has transitioned from development to operations whilst simultaneously expanding its resource base through systematic exploration.
Current Asset Value
| Resource Category | Tonnage (Mt) | Au Grade (g/t) | Ag Grade (g/t) | Au Ounces | Ag Ounces |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Resource | 7.65 | 1.26 | 4.49 | 311,000 | 1,104,400 |
| Measured | 3.76 | 1.35 | 4.75 | 163,500 | 574,900 |
| Indicated | 2.42 | 1.21 | 4.10 | 94,000 | 319,100 |
| Inferred | 1.47 | 1.13 | 4.46 | 53,400 | 210,400 |
The project also maintains Ore Reserves of 4.5Mt @ 1.40g/t Au containing 200,900oz Au. This provides an immediate production foundation whilst exploration targets additional ounces.
Operational Advantages
The Tavsan project benefits from several key operational advantages that distinguish it from exploration-stage assets:
- Established mining operation with heap-leach processing facility operational
- 23.5% ownership through Zenit joint venture structure
- 8-year established mine life with potential for extension
- Western Turkey location providing infrastructure access and regulatory certainty
Growth Catalysts
The latest Ariana Resources Tavsan drilling results provide multiple pathways for value creation through resource expansion, mine life extension, and operational optimisation. The confirmed mineralisation extensions suggest the upcoming resource update could materially increase the project's economic value.
What Should Investors Watch For Next?
Investors should monitor several key developments that will drive value creation at Tavsan over the coming quarters. These include production ramp-up from the heap-leach facility, continued drilling results from the expanded programme, and preparation for the Q3 2026 resource update.
The company has maintained consistent communication regarding exploration progress. Therefore, regular updates on drilling advancement and resource model refinement will provide visibility into the scale of potential resource additions.
Why Investors Should Track This Development Story
Ariana Resources has successfully transitioned Tavsan from exploration through development to production whilst maintaining aggressive exploration programmes targeting resource growth. This dual approach provides investors with immediate cash flow generation alongside significant expansion upside.
The high-grade intersections reported from the Ariana Resources Tavsan drilling results validate the company's geological model. Furthermore, they support expectations for substantial resource additions in the Q3 2026 update. With mineralisation confirmed beyond current resource boundaries and operational momentum building through the heap-leach facility, Tavsan represents a compelling growth story in the gold sector.
Key Investment Differentiators
Several factors distinguish Tavsan from typical exploration projects:
- Operational gold mine generating immediate cash flows
- Proven exploration team delivering consistent high-grade results
- Systematic expansion programme targeting known geological extensions
- Infrastructure advantage in accessible Western Turkey location
- Resource growth visibility through comprehensive drilling programme
Key Takeaway:
Ariana Resources has positioned Tavsan as both a producing asset and growth opportunity. With high-grade drilling results confirming resource extensions and operational cash flows supporting continued exploration investment, the upcoming Q3 2026 resource update represents a significant value inflection point for shareholders.
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