Skylark Minerals announced on 19 October that the inferred gold resources of its Ivorian Zaranou project had risen by 228% to 1.196 million ounces. The Australian company has also entered a binding agreement to directly raise its stake from 51% to 90%, in exchange for a payment of 1.2 million dollars.
The new estimate covers 29 million tonnes of ore with an average grade of 1.28 grammes of gold per tonne, using a cut-off grade of 0.5 grammes. It is presented on the basis of 100% of the project. The M’Basso deposit accounts for 872,600 ounces, ahead of Ehuasso with 307,000 ounces and Coffee Bean with 16,500 ounces.
These volumes are classified entirely as inferred resources under the Australian JORC Code. They measure geological potential with a still limited level of confidence and do not constitute mineable reserves. Skylark will need to continue drilling and carry out technical studies before any decision to build a mine.
The 2026 campaign comprised a total of 85 reverse circulation drill holes covering 15,888 metres. It defined the mineralisation at M’Basso over about two kilometres and to a depth of nearly 200 metres, while the licence covers 287 square kilometres and a geological corridor of about 47 kilometres.
Preliminary metallurgical tests produced an average recovery rate of 95%, but the company stresses that further work is still needed. Its 2027 programme is to target extensions of M’Basso, Ehuasso and Coffee Bean, as well as areas between the deposits already identified.