ASX- and LSE-listed Resolute Mining has announced an initial mineral resource estimate (MRE) for the Bantaco South and West prospects at its Bantaco project, which is situated 20 km east of the company’s Mako gold mine, in Senegal.

Resolute says the Bantaco project is one of the potential satellite deposits, along with Tomboronkoto, that it is focusing on to extend the life of the Mako mine.

The company says these projects will deliver operational resilience, economic benefits and social value, while also maintaining the company position for future success in Senegal and the broader West Africa region.

The company adds that the Bantaco project specifically creates additional optionality and flexibility for Resolute, with favourable development conditions including its established stakeholder relationships in the region and proximity to existing mining infrastructure. 

The current combined MREs of Tomboronkoto and Bantaco contain over 600 000 oz of gold, with possibilities of expansion based on ongoing exploration results.

Together, Resolute says, these projects likely have the potential to provide another five to ten years of mining activities in Senegal. 

The company has reported initial inferred MREs for the Bantaco West prospect of 5.8-million tonnes grading 0.97 g/t gold for 179 000 oz and for the Bantaco South prospect 2.2-million tonnes grading 1.2 g/t gold for 87 000 oz both at 0.5 g/t cutoff grade for a total of about 266 000 oz of contained gold.

The MRE is based on shallow drilling completed to date with much of the current resource within the top 100 m.

Resolute says the mineral resources at Bantaco South and Bantaco West remain open along strike and at depth, adding that there is strong potential to grow resources at Bantaco Main zone through a follow-up drilling programme to begin in the second half of this year.

Drilling programmes will also be progressed to convert inferred resources to the indicated category at both Bantaco South and West prospects.

“We are very pleased to announce today’s initial MRE for the Bantaco project in Senegal. This milestone demonstrates the excellent progress our exploration team is actively making to successfully extend the life-of-mine at our Mako gold operation,” says MD and CEO Chris Eger.

Eger says the Bantaco project is key to the extension of Mako and has the possibility to be developed ahead of the Tomboronkoto project, allowing the company to build on its strong mining heritage in the region and established stakeholder relationships, which facilitate a clear development timeline.

He notes that Resolute is working closely with all stakeholders to accelerate the development of both projects, and based on current progress and continued positive development, he says the company expects to mine at Bantaco in the second half of 2027.

“With current MREs totalling over 600 000 oz of contained gold across Tomboronkoto and Bantaco, we are confident of continued gold production in Senegal for many years to come. This remains a key part of Resolute’s strategy of being a leading diversified multi-asset gold producer.”

Resolute says an updated MRE for the Bantaco project is targeted for the first quarter of 2026.

Based on current development and continued government support, the company says it plans to receive the environmental and social impact assessment certificate of approval by the end of the second quarter of 2026 and after receipt of this the mining licence will be submitted.

Depending on permitting timelines, the start of mining at Bantaco is anticipated in the second half of 2027 coinciding with the end of Mako stockpile processing.