Ariana Resources (ASX:AA2) advances Dokwe resource review and feasibility programme
Ariana Resources is advancing the feasibility study programme for its 100% owned Dokwe Gold Project in Zimbabwe, following completion of approximately 11,000m of RC and diamond drilling.
An independent Mineral Resource Estimate is underway alongside water exploration, metallurgical testing and infrastructure planning, while completed geotechnical drilling at Dokwe Central will provide data for the expected open pit.
Highlights
AMC Consultants has been commissioned to prepare the Mineral Resource Estimate for the feasibility study.
Water bore drilling is underway to identify a processing water source north of Dokwe.
Metallurgical samples are being tested through laboratories in China and Australia.
Infrastructure sterilisation drilling and aeromagnetic and LiDAR surveys are planned.
The resource review will incorporate assays from metallurgical drilling, extensional drilling northeast of Dokwe North and the southern extension to mineralisation intercepted at Dokwe Central.
AMC Consultants in the UK will undertake the estimate as required by the JORC Code (2012), with the company identifying it as the final resource estimate for the purposes of the feasibility study.
The existing estimate contains 62,467kt at 0.80g/t Au for 1,598,000oz of gold across Measured, Indicated and Inferred classifications.
It is reported within a Dokwe North pit shell optimised at US$5,000/oz Au, using a cutoff grade of 0.2g/t Au, and is inclusive of Reserves.
Ariana Managing Director Dr Kerim Sener outlined the subsequent reporting milestone, stating,
“Furthermore we are advancing towards a revised Ore Reserve statement which we expect towards the end of this year.”
Ariana expects Dokwe Central to be included in that statement following recent geotechnical and metallurgical drilling at the deposit.
The geotechnical programme comprised 6 holes totalling 1,251m, with cores logged and sampled by OHMS representatives on site.
Selected samples have arrived at a laboratory in South Africa for testing, while OHMS is preparing a report that will inform pit design.
For metallurgical testing, 8 tonnes of samples arrived at Xinhai’s laboratory in Yantai, where 28 composites have been prepared under the supervision of Independent Metallurgical Operations in Perth.
The programme includes 3 bulk composites for testing in China, with the remaining mine schedule and variability composites to be shipped to Perth for further analysis.
Water drilling follows a study, hydrological census and geophysical programme completed by Wellfield Geosciences, with 12 priority holes planned for 2,155m.
Strong flows of good quality water were encountered particularly in the 3rd completed hole, approximately 10km north of Dokwe, where the Forest Sandstone is the target aquifer horizon.
Infrastructure work reflects the expanded potential resource envelope and revised mining and processing rates, which have left the earlier sterilisation drilling area insufficient for the proposed facilities.
An initial 23 RC holes for 2,300m are planned, followed by 14 holes for 1,400m to test the contact between volcanic and sedimentary rocks.
Knight Piesold is also evaluating waste rock dump and tailings storage options, considering volumes, footprint and haulage distances.
Beyond the feasibility programme, exploration will focus on structural corridors hosting Dokwe North, Dokwe Central and Siduli, where only 3km of approximately 13km has been drilled.
Detailed aeromagnetic and LiDAR surveys are expected to commence shortly to assist target definition and drilling plans.