Kodal JV projects advancing

JOHANNESBURG (miningweekly.com) – Lithium and gold explorer Kodal Minerals on Monday reported that the company’s joint venture (JV) agreements with ASX-listed Newcrest Mining and Resolute Mining, in Cote d’Ivoire, continue to progress encouragingly.

At the Tiebissou concession, a JV with Resolute, 1 797 surface geochemical samples have been collected, which define a gold anomalous zone extending across the concession that is interpreted to be related to a major structural zone.

At the JV’s Nielle concession, surface geochemical sampling comprising 474 surface geochemical samples, 38 rock-chip samples and 92 stream sediment samples, had also been completed.

These defined new surface regional gold anomalous zones, extending over 3 km by 1.5 km and 3 km by 2 km, were demonstrated by wide-spaced sampling. Infill geochemical sampling and trenching to define anomalies prior to reconnaissance drill testing will now be undertaken.

In a statement, CEO Bernard Aylward said the new and enlarged gold anomalous zones identified by geochemical sampling at these concessions highlighted the potential for new discoveries in this underexplored region of West Africa.

“The ongoing activity by Newcrest is also positive,” he added.

Through this JV, the Dabakala auger drilling programme was advancing. The auger geochemistry is targeting surface geochemical anomalies and interpreted complex geological structural zones.

Further, an exploration camp had been built on site and two auger drilling crews were operating to complete the programme as soon as possible.

“While work by our JV partners continues, Kodal’s immediate focus remains the Bougouni lithium project, in Mali. We are advancing planning for an initial 2 000 m reverse circulation drill programme and it is expected this work will commence at Bougouni this month as we progress towards delivering a Joint Ore Reserves Committee-compliant reserve in the near term,” Aylward added.