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(Alliance News) - Kodal Minerals PLC on Friday said it has commenced aircore drilling at the Nielle project in northern Ivory Coast.
The west Africa-focused mining and exploration company said the programme is designed to test for gold mineralisation along the interpreted strike extensions of the defined gold mineralised zone, as well as complete reconnaissance of surface geochemical anomalies surrounding the mineralised structures.
The 5,000 metres drilling programme is expected to take two weeks to complete, and samples will be submitted for assay at completion, Kodal said.
The company also said it prepares for reverse circulation drilling programme - which is also expected to take two weeks - to confirm previously intersected gold mineralisation, provide confidence in the geological interpretation and to extend the defined gold mineralised zone.
Kodal confirmed that the second drill rig has arrived on site and is expected to commence drilling as soon as all checks and preparations are complete.
Meanwhile, at the Dabakala project, located in central Cote d'Ivoire, Kodal has completed the infill sampling programme and has submitted all samples for analysis to the ALS Laboratory in Bamako.
Elsewhere, in Mali, the company noted the recent political unrest, but said commercial activities in the country are continuing as normal. Kodal confirmed that the updated feasibility study has been lodged with the Direction Nationale de la Geologie et des Mines in Bamako. The study has been updated to refer to the new Mali 2019 mining code and make other "minor" amendments.
Kodal shares were trading 9.8% higher in London on Friday at 0.26 pence each.
By Evelina Grecenko; evelinagrecenko@alliancenews.com
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