Many Peaks Minerals Limited (ASX:MPK) has launched an aggressive new phase of exploration at its flagship Ferké Gold Project in Côte d'Ivoire, with air core drilling now underway across multiple high-priority gold targets on the property's promising Leraba trend.
Major Drilling Campaign Targets Expansion of High-Grade Gold Zone
Many Peaks has commenced a substantial 5,000-meter air core drilling program consisting of approximately 160 planned drill holes at the Ferké Gold Project. This campaign represents a critical step in the company's systematic approach to expand upon the impressive high-grade gold mineralisation previously identified at the project's Ouarigue Prospect.
The current drilling focuses on testing multiple untapped gold targets along the southern 9km segment of the +16km long Leraba gold trend. These targets were prioritised through recent auger sampling programs that identified significant near-surface gold anomalies.
Investors can expect a steady stream of news flow from this campaign:
- Initial assay results expected by mid-April 2025
- Program completion anticipated within 3-4 weeks
- Immediate transition to deeper RC drilling following air core campaign
- Imminent assay results from six diamond holes at Ouarigue Prospect
"This air core drilling campaign represents a significant step in our staged exploration at Ferké," said Travis Schwertfeger, Managing Director. "Our goal is to systematically grow the footprint of the high-grade gold mineralisation we've already confirmed at Ouarigue."
Multi-Phase Exploration Strategy Ensures Continuous News Flow
Many Peaks has implemented a well-coordinated multi-phase exploration strategy that provides investors with frequent catalysts over the coming months:
| Exploration Phase | Timeline | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Air Core Drilling | March-April 2025 | 5,000m across 160 holes targeting near-surface gold anomalies |
| RC Drilling | Mid-April to Mid-May 2025 | >4,000m planned to test targets below weathering profile |
| Diamond Drill Results | Expected within days | Results from 6 diamond holes (1,285m) at Ouarigue |
| Channel Sampling Results | Early April 2025 | Results from 2km of surface sampling |
| Follow-up Diamond Drilling | Q2 2025 | Planned based on results from current programs |
Particularly noteworthy is that the RC drilling campaign—the next phase—will proceed immediately after the air core drilling, even before all results are in. This accelerated approach is possible because the company has already identified several robust targets based on integrated geophysical and geochemical datasets.
Understanding Air Core Drilling: A Cost-Efficient Path to Discovery
Air core drilling represents an efficient exploration technique for testing near-surface gold anomalies, particularly in the weathered/oxide profile of West African gold systems. This method allows Many Peaks to rapidly and economically evaluate multiple targets before committing to more expensive deep drilling.
The technique uses compressed air to drive a rotating blade bit, efficiently cutting through softer weathered material while collecting samples that provide crucial data on potential gold mineralisation beneath the surface. By employing this method as the first phase of its drilling campaign, Many Peaks can:
- Confirm sub-surface continuity of surface gold anomalies
- Define the lateral extent of mineralised zones
- Determine priority targets for deeper drilling
- Maximise exploration efficiency and shareholder value
This systematic approach is particularly effective in the West African context, where substantial gold deposits often present initial signatures in the weathered profile before development into major resources at depth.
Ferké Project: Strategic Position in Prolific Gold Region
The Ferké Gold Project encompasses 300 square kilometres of highly prospective terrain in northern Côte d'Ivoire, approximately 40km east of Ferkessédougou and 90km east of Korhogo. The project's strategic location at the intersection of major regional shear zones on the eastern margin of the Daloa greenstone belt creates an ideal geological setting for significant gold mineralisation.
Previous exploration at Ferké has already delivered impressive high-grade gold intercepts at the Ouarigue Prospect, including:
- 45.3m @ 3.16g/t gold from 45.9m (FNDC001)
- 39.7m @ 3.54g/t gold from 51.4m (FNDC008)
These results underscore the potential for Ferké to host substantial gold resources, especially considering the project contains the +16km Leraba gold trend that remains largely underexplored.
Investment Case: Why Many Peaks Deserves Investor Attention
Many Peaks presents a compelling investment opportunity based on several key factors:
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Advanced Exploration Stage: The company has already confirmed high-grade gold mineralisation at Ferké, reducing exploration risk compared to early-stage projects.
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Accelerated Exploration Program: The multi-phase exploration approach ensures continuous news flow and rapid advancement of the project.
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Strategic Location: Côte d'Ivoire represents one of West Africa's most promising and stable gold jurisdictions, with excellent infrastructure and mining-friendly policies.
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Leveraging Previous Investment: Many Peaks is building upon more than US$4 million of previous successful exploration at Ferké, providing a substantial data foundation.
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Experienced Management: The company's technical team has a proven track record in West African gold exploration and development.
With numerous catalysts on the horizon, including imminent diamond drill results, air core results by mid-April, and RC drilling to commence shortly thereafter, investors have multiple near-term opportunities to see value creation as Many Peaks systematically advances the Ferké Gold Project.
For investors seeking exposure to gold exploration in a promising jurisdiction with an active work program and near-term catalysts, Many Peaks Minerals offers an opportunity to participate in the potential value creation as the company works to define what could become a significant new gold discovery in Côte d'Ivoire.
The timing of Many Peaks' aggressive exploration campaign aligns well with current gold mining investment trends, as the precious metal continues to demonstrate strong performance amidst global economic uncertainty. With companies like Viking Mines unveiling promising gold potential at similar-stage exploration projects, investor interest in junior gold explorers with high-quality assets continues to grow.
The Australian gold market boom has created an environment where companies with compelling exploration narratives and systematic work programs can attract significant investor attention. As Many Peaks progresses its Ferké Project, the company is well-positioned to benefit from broader gold market trends through 2025, which continue to support strong valuations for quality gold exploration and development companies.
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