The project
We acquired Tusker Gold in May 2010, giving us 100% control of the Nyanzaga project. Our exploration has remained focused on further delineating and expanding the project’s current resources. We have:
- carried out an aggressive reverse circulation and diamond-core step-out and infill drill programme on the Tusker and Kilimani resource areas.
- commenced testing of geophysical and geochemical targets across the Nyanzaga project area for large-scale gold deposits and additional satellite opportunities within 15 km of the Tusker resource area.
Positive indicators
In June 2009, Tusker Gold declared an inferred resource of approximately 4.2 million ounces for the Nyanzaga project. Our current drill programme aims to confirm and expand this resource base, and it has shown positive results to date.
- Step-out and infill drilling on the southern strike extensions of the Tusker prospect have identified wide, higher-grade extensions of gold mineralisation.
- Recent intercepts indicate that mineralisation on the southern extensions of the Tusker resource area occurs closer to surface than previously modelled, and deeper intersections indicate the potential for grade quality to increase with depth in this area of the system.
- Results obtained from the drill programme are also showing potential to locate additional resources on the north end of the Tusker resource area.
- At Kilimani (approximately 200-300m north east of Tusker) infill drilling is confirming continuity of the oxide zones identified in broader spaced drilling. Results from several step-out drill holes also look to have extended the known footprint of the mineralised system.
Forward activity
We continue to focus on extending mineralisation on the northern, western and southern domains of the Tusker deposit. Following the successful drill programme to date, we expanded the step-out drilling to allow accelerated follow-up of identified positive intersections.
We will also continue infill drilling on the main Tusker resource area to upgrade the existing mineral inventory and inferred resources to measured and indicated categories.
We aim to announce an updated resource for Tusker and Kilimani when we have completed updated geological and resource models. We are also planning a scoping study later in 2011 as we gain a greater understanding of the extent of the mineralisation on the Tusker and Kilimani project areas.
Nyanzaga – Tusker and Kilimani prospects and drill hole locations
Tusker drill hole plan highlighting better intersections from Q3 2011
Kilimani drill hole plan highlighting better intersections from Q3 2011
Tusker schematic section 2400mN highlighting better intersections from Q3 2011