Damang gold mine - Exploration and resource definition drilling
2016/17 exploration expenditures are presented in the West Africa regional review section.
Exploration drill programmes are designed to assess the magnitude and style of mineralisation. RC drilling, using a 120 x 80 metre grid, is usually employed for initial exploration drill-testing of both palaeoplacer and hydrothermal styles of mineralisation. To optimise exploration spend, diamond drilling is minimised in the initial exploration stages and it is used to establish stratigraphic and structural relationships, while allowing samples to be collected for metallurgical test work.
Exploration activities in Damang continue to be dominated by ongoing extensional and resource conversion projects.
Exploration during 2017 focused on:
- Enhancing the understanding of the geology and controls on mineralisation at Rex and Huni
- Extensional drilling to the north of the current Amoanda Pit to assess mineralisation continuity
- Drilling at Kwesi-Lima gap to increase its Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve base
The Phase 1 Resource infill drilling at Amoanda North was completed by mid-December 2017. A number of highly prospective borehole intercepts were returned. Geological and Resource modelling updates were completed by March 2018, and will be followed by further pit optimisation and mine design work in May/June 2018.
A total of 35,265 metres (for 20,378 metres RC and 14,887 metres DD) were drilled during the year at Huni, Rex, Amoanda and Lima-Kwesi Gap with the relevant geological and resource models interpreted. A drilling campaign aimed at supporting the Damang Unconstrained project will also be undertaken in 2018.