Mako Gold Ltd (ASX:MKG) has confirmed a “globally significant” manganese discovery from surface during a reconnaissance reverse circulation (RC) drill program at the Korhogo Project in Côte d'Ivoire, providing the company with an entry into the critical battery metals race.
The company’s drilling intersected multiple wide shallow zones of mineralisation with results up to 19% manganese, including:
- 27 metres at 10.2% manganese from surface, including 7 metres at 14.0% from surface;
- 19 metres at 6.7% from 31 metres;
- 11 metres at 14.6% from surface; and
- 10 metres at 10.8% from 15 metres.
Côte d’Ivoire is a top 10 global producer of manganese with 36,000 million tonnes produced in 2022 from four operating mines, supplying direct shipping ore (DSO) into the steel market.
“High prospectivity”
Mako managing director Peter Ledwidge said: “We are extremely excited with the results of our very first drill program at the Korhogo Project testing for manganese.
“Eight out of the 10 holes we drilled across the interpreted 14-kilometre combined strike intersected manganese.
“These results confirm the potential for a globally significant manganese discovery.
“Given the high prospectivity of the deposit, I spent several days on the project in July and observed first-hand the sheer extent of the manganese outcropping at surface.
“We are following up the drill program with a detailed mapping and rock-chip sampling program. Subsequent to that we will conduct a ground geophysical survey to assess the width and depth.
“Both of these programs will assist us in targeting the high-grade core of the manganese units for future drilling.”
Mako Gold Projects on simplified geology and manganese mines in Côte d’Ivoire.
Drill program
A total of 10 reverse circulation (RC) holes were drilled to test for subsurface manganese mineralisation on two parallel manganese-rich lithological units, each of which is more than 7 kilometres in strike length for a combined total exceeding 14 kilometres.
Eight of the 10 drill holes intersected manganese indicating the potential for a globally significant manganese deposit.
The grade of Mako’s wide-spaced reconnaissance results returned in this drill program is similar to several ASX-listed manganese-focused producers/developers.
Forward plan
At the Napié Project., a detailed mapping and rock-chip sampling program is planned shortly after the completion of the diamond drilling program.
Subsequently, the company will kick off an induced polarisation (IP) geophysical program shortly after receipt of the rock chip sample results.
A consultant has been chosen to complete preliminary metallurgical testing on a 160-kilogram sample of manganese ore.
It is anticipated that this will follow the results of the mapping/rock chip sampling program and IP survey once the best area to sample is determined.
Furthermore, a wide-spaced diamond drilling and RC drilling program will be planned following the completion of the above work.
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