Tarkwa gold mine - Exploration and resource definition drilling
2016/17 exploration expenditures are presented in the West Africa regional review section.
The bulk of the Tarkwa open pit palaeoplacer Mineral Resource has been drilled and classified into the Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource categories at current costs and a gold price of US$1,400/oz.
Following the results of the reconnaissance soil sampling programme initiated in September 2014, on a 400m x 100m grid pattern and a geophysical survey carried out in 2012 over the lease area, a number of anomalous areas were identified. Previously less understood sectors on the Tarkwa concession were targeted for exploration to assess potential for new discovery. On-lease exploration continued in 2017 in the southern section of the lease targeting the near surface hydrothermal type mineralisation. The Kobada-North Hill trend in the south of the lease remains the main focus area where detailed drilling was carried out. Geological modelling of an area within the Kobada prospect is being undertaken and evaluated for possible mining in the future. Geotechnical, metallurgical, petrographic and acid mine drainage laboratory tests are also being undertaken as part of the programme.
In 2018, emphasis will be on investigating targets in Tarkwa North (Bompieso South, Bompieso Southeast, Bompieso Southwest, Kottraverchy North and Kottraverchy West) and carrying out advanced drilling on targets in Tarkwa South (Badukrom West, Badukrom Main, Kobada South and Kobada Far South).
The Kottraverchy underground project is also being re-evaluated using latest cost and mining method assumptions to assess future potential.
Ground geophysical survey work was carried out over the Kobada trend. This will be continued in 2018 to cover the larger exploration space in Tarkwa south. The outcome of this work will assist the team to better define the Kobada Far South, South Heap Leach and Blue Ridge targets.