Dalaroo Metals Ltd (ASX: DAL) has signed a binding joint venture agreement with Reflex Exploration, enabling the company to acquire up to an 80% interest in the Bongouanoa Gold Project, located within the gold-rich Sefwi-Comé Birimian Greenstone Belts of Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa.
The agreement marks Dalaroo’s strategic entry into one of Africa’s most prospective gold terrains, covering a 400km² exploration permit. The company plans to leverage an extensive body of historical exploration work, including field mapping, soil geochemistry, rock chip sampling, and both aircore and diamond drilling.
Promising Historical Drilling Results
Previous exploration at the Bongouanoa Project has delivered encouraging results. Notable diamond drill intercepts include:
- 17m @ 6.79g/t Au from 113m, including 3m @ 34.29g/t Au (BODD00021)
- 18m @ 1.28g/t Au from 70m (BODD00016)
- 2m @ 60.47g/t Au from 39m (BODD00010A)
- 4m @ 2.63g/t Au from 23m and 1m @ 12.51g/t Au from 90m (BODD00001)
- Aircore drilling has also returned high-grade results, such as:
- 4m @ 9.24g/t Au from 24m (BOAC00043)
- 4m @ 2.08g/t Au from 36m (BOAC00084)
Additionally, 151 rock chip samples have demonstrated high-grade mineralisation, with standout results including 70.68g/t and 68.55g/t gold.
Untapped Exploration Potential
A 16km by 10km gold-in-soil anomaly, along with several parallel anomalies, has identified numerous untested drill targets. The project also includes 15 artisanal mining sites, both active and inactive, as well as a largely unexplored northern tenement area.
Strategic Appointments and Local Expertise
Dalaroo will benefit from the involvement of Mr. Yao (Fred) N’Kanza, a key local shareholder with a proven track record. N’Kanza was instrumental in the success of Tietto Minerals’ Abujar Gold Mine (3.83Moz Au) and the Boundiali Gold Project, now a 1.59Moz Au resource under Aurum Resources.
Supporting the company’s expansion, Dr. Paul Kitto will join Dalaroo as a special advisor. Dr. Kitto is the former Non-Executive Director of Tietto Minerals and played a pivotal role in multiple major gold discoveries in Côte d’Ivoire, including the Seguela (1Moz Au) and Doropo (2.9Moz Au) projects. In 2024, Tietto was acquired by Zhaojin Capital in a A$733 million deal.
Positioning for Growth in West Africa
Dalaroo’s move into Côte d’Ivoire aligns it with a group of active ASX-listed gold explorers and developers in the region, such as Perseus Mining, Turaco Gold, African Gold, Many Peaks Minerals, and Aurum Resources.
The company is now focused on expanding its in-country presence, strengthening its technical team, and engaging with established local partners as it aims to fast-track exploration efforts on the Bongouanoa Project.
