Perseus Mining confident of Yaouré gold inventory growth after latest drilling success

Perseus Mining Ltd (ASX:PRU, TSX:PRU, OTC:PMNXF) has confirmed the potential to boost the mineral resources at its Yaouré Gold Project in Côte d’Ivoire, with infill drilling at the CMA underground prospect returning positive results.

Infill and down-dip extension drilling confirmed gold mineralisation consistent with previous results from this area, with recent drill results including:

• 4.1 metres at 1.44 g/t gold from 129 metres;
• 3 metres at 1.87 g/t from 220 metres;
• 9 metres at 5.42 g/t from 221 metres;
• 6.2 metres at 7.27 g/t from 228 metres including 1-metre at 20.0 g/t from 229 metres;
• 1.75 metres at 4.76 g/t from 188 metres;
• 6 metres at 3.00 g/t from 229 metres;
• 8 metres at 3.87 g/t from 221 metres;
• 3 metres at 1.53 g/t from 188 metres;
• 3 metres at 4.52 g/t from 195 metres;
• 6 metres at 3.54 g/t from 179 metres including 1-metre at 13.7 g/t from 179 metres; and
• 7 metres at 1.73 g/t from 194 metres including 2 metres at 2.73 g/t from 199 metres

These and previous drill results will be used to update the existing inferred mineral resource estimate to the indicated category, which will enable a pre-feasibility study for an underground mining operation at Yaouré, including a maiden ore reserve estimate, hoped to be completed by June next year.

On track for 500,000-ounce goal

Perseus CEO and managing director Jeff Quartermaine said the latest results from Yaouré left the company more confident than ever it would exceed its stated goal of 500,000 ounces of gold produced annually from its West African assets.

“Having commenced gold production at our third gold mine, Yaouré, in December 2020, we are now moving closer to reaching our target of producing 500,000 ounces of gold per year from FY2022,” he said.

“Our focus is now turning to maintaining this level of production out to the end of the current decade and beyond.

“Our latest infill and step out drilling results from below Yaouré’s CMA open pit are encouraging, suggesting that with further successful drilling, material additional indicated mineral resources, capable of being economically mined using underground mining methods, may be delineated.

“In addition, results from initial drilling of previously unexplored shallow targets at CMA East are also very promising.

“Identified by a recent 3D seismic survey of the area, this mineralisation is close to the surface and certainly warrants further drilling along strike and down dip to provide us with a greater understanding of the mineral potential of this area.”

Shares have been as much as 5.5% higher in the first hour of trade to A$1.635 while the company’s market cap before opening was approximately A$1.902 billion.

CMA East

The CMA East prospect Quartermaine refers to has given the company even further confidence of increasing the gold inventory at Yaouré, with initial drill results including:

• 4 metres at 2.34 g/t from 26 metres;
• 4 metres at 3.94 g/t from 34 metres;
• 4 metres at 1.14 g/t from 10 metres;
• 2 metres at 4.18 g/t from 36 metres;
• 2 metres at 2.43 g/t from 16 metres;
• 22 metres at 3.07 g/t from 24 metres;
• 4 metres at 1.26 g/t from 38 metres;
• 6 metres at 1.73 g/t from 46 metres;
• 6 metres at 1.66 g/t from 10 metres; and
• 6 metres at 2.75 g/t from 46 metres

Next steps

Perseus will continue drilling to convert the inferred resource at CMA to an ore reserve to be potentially exploited by underground mining methods and drilling down dip of the inferred resource to identify the potential for further resource extensions.

This drilling is the first part of a pre-feasibility study, with geotechnical, hydrological, mining and metallurgical studies to commence as more drilling and assaying results are received.

The company will also continue drill testing of targets generated from the 3D seismic survey, with an initial focus on near-surface targets, as well as conduct aircore drilling and augering at early-stage regional prospects such as Degbezere NE.

- Daniel Paproth

Story by ProactiveInvestors