Predictive Discovery Ltd (ASX:PDI, OTC:PDIYF) is gearing up towards a definitive feasibility study (DFS) for the Bankan Gold Project in Guinea, with an infill drilling program at the Bankan Central (BC) deposit and resource development drilling at the 800W target, which currently holds no mineral resource estimate (MRE).
The company drilled 7 holes for 1,019 metres of infill drilling at BC, which delivered multiple broad intercepts of high-grade gold up to 43 metres at 5.58 g/t gold from 128 metres of depth, offering a strong opportunity to increase the deposit’s ore reserve and upgrade the inferred portion of the mineral resource to the indicated category.
Resource development drilling at the 800W target also bore fruit, hitting solid intersections including 15 metres at 22.22 g/t gold from 13 metres, with a bonanza interval of 5 metres at 65.38 g/t gold from 13 metres.
MRE for 800W later this year
“These latest results in the NEB area continue to highlight multiple avenues to enhance and extend the Bankan Gold Project’s already robust 12-year mine life,” Predictive Discovery managing director Andrew Pardey said.
“At BC, infill drilling has recorded numerous strong intercepts below the PFS pit design, including an outstanding result of 43 metres at 5.58 g/t from 128 metres, reinforcing the opportunity to increase the current 207,000-ounce BC Ore Reserve.
“The very positive results at 800W build on previous exploration drilling and continue to define a shallow orebody situated just northwest of the NEB deposit.
“There is excellent potential to define a maiden mineral resource at 800W later this year.”
Resource definition drilling programs are ongoing to support the DFS with the aim of further defining current resources and establishing additional deposits to extend the planned 12-year mine life.
Strong results
There were several results of note generated from beneath the pit shell outlined by the pre-feasibility study (PFS), including:
- 43 metres at 5.56 g/t gold from 128 metres;
- 22 metres at 2.01 g/t from 176 metres;
- 18 metres at 2.07 g/t from 91 metres;
- 8.1 metres at 2.52 g/t from 108 metres; and,
- 3.1 metres at 3.65 g/t from 87 metres.
There were also solid results from within the PFS pit shell, including:
- 16 metres at 1.16 g/t gold from 9 metres;
- 13 metres at 1.03 g/t from 36 metres;
- 4 metres at 2.54 g/t from 28 metres;
- 8 metres at 1.03 g/t from 89 metres; and,
- 7 metres at 1.13 g/t from 36 metres.
Finally, resource development drilling at 800W generated:
- 15 metres at 22.22 g/t gold from 13 metres, including 5 metres at 65.38 g/t from 13 metres;
- 18 metres at 2.03 g/t from 40 metres;
- 8 metres at 4.57 g/t from 23 metres;
- 6 metres at 4.05 g/t from 30 metres;
- 3 metres at 7.35 g/t from 31 metres; and
- 4 metres at 4.41 g/t from 37 metres.
PDI says the final results from infill drilling at BC will be available shortly, and infill drilling at the Gbengbeden prospect is well advanced.
With drilling at 800W complete, the rigs will soon turn to South Bankan (SB) and have already begun resource development drilling at Argo (Fouwagbe and Sounsoun prospects).
Application for mining permit
Predictive submitted an Environmental & Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) to the Guinea Government this month and is now awaiting review by Guinea’s Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development, the Guinean Agency for Environmental Assessment and the Guinean Office of National Parks and Wildlife Reserves.
“Submission of the ESIA to the Government of Guinea in June marked a key milestone in the permitting process for the Bankan Gold Project and was the result of more than two years of environmental and social surveys, studies and engagement,” Pardey said.
“I’d like to thank the Government and other key stakeholders for their support to date and look forward to working closely together to continue advancing Africa’s largest gold development project.”