RE: Sold yesterday24 Mar 2025 07:38
Positives:
New Discoveries at Douta-West (Baraka 3 Prospect):
Two discovery drill holes at the Baraka 3 Prospect in the Douta-West licence hit significant gold mineralization: 19m at 2.46 g/t Au (DTWRC129) and 26m at 1.31 g/t Au (DTWRC134). These wide, high-grade intercepts suggest potential to expand the existing 1.78 Moz resource.
The 1 km-long Baraka 3 target, part of a 3 km geochemical trend, opens up a new exploration frontier. Only a fraction has been drilled so far, hinting at untapped potential for a satellite deposit.
Positive Diamond Drilling at Makosa Deposits:
Deeper diamond drilling at Makosa North, Makosa, and Makosa Tail confirmed mineralization extensions, with highlights like 9m at 2.06 g/t Au (DTDD0039) and 3m at 5.3 g/t Au (DTDD0040). Most holes hit gold below the current pit shell, supporting resource growth at depth.
Results are poised to upgrade Inferred Resources to Indicated, potentially boosting the Preliminary Feasibility Study (PFS) mine plan and economics.
Strategic Progress:
The ongoing drilling program at Baraka 3 and infill RC drilling at Makosa North and East aim to enhance resource classification and tonnage. This could derisk the project and fast-track it toward a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) and investment decision.
CEO Segun Lawson emphasized the upside potential and a focus on a robust PFS, signaling confidence in the project’s future.
Project Scale and Context:
The Douta Project already holds 1.78 Moz (874,900 oz Indicated at 1.3 g/t, 909,400 oz Inferred at 1.2 g/t), and these results could push it higher, strengthening its position in Senegal’s K Depending on further resultséniéba inlier near Endeavour Mining’s Massawa mine.
Negatives:
Limited Drilling Scope So Far:
Only seven of 30 RC holes at Baraka 3 have results reported, and drilling has covered just 250m of a 1 km target within a broader 3 km trend. This leaves significant uncertainty about the consistency and extent of mineralization across the prospect.
The diamond drilling program (five holes, 1,159m) is a small sample relative to the 44.3 Mt resource, meaning depth extensions and resource upgrades are promising but not yet fully proven.
Geological and Economic Risks:
One diamond hole (DTDD0037) confirmed a pinch-out at depth, indicating that not all areas will yield continuous mineralization. This could limit the upside in some sections of Makosa.
While grades like 5.3 g/t (DTDD0040) stand out, the average remains modest (1.2–1.3 g/t for the resource), requiring low-cost operations and high gold prices (e.g., $3,000/oz) to maximize profitability. Any drop in gold price or rise in costs could squeeze margins.
Timeline Uncertainty:
The PFS timeline remains unclear, with updates promised only after all drilling results are in. Delays in drilling, assays, or analysis could push back key milestones, impacting investor confidence and project momentum.
The reliance on upgrading Inferred to Indic