ASX- and LSE-listed Resolute Mining has reported a significant increase in the total contained gold at its Tomboronkoto project, in Senegal.

The new estimate shows an increase of at least 30% from the initial mineral resource estimate (MRE) announced in January, with the figure now standing at more than 343 000 oz grading 2.1 g/t gold at a 1 g/t cut-off, or 571 000 oz. The initial MRE, released in January, was 264 000 oz, grading 1.1 g/t gold at a 0.5 g/t cut-off, or 403 000 oz.

In Senegal, Resolute is focusing on three potential satellite deposits: Tomboronkoto, Bantaco and Laminia, which are being considered as possible extensions to the life of the Mako mine.

Of these, Tomboronkoto is the most advanced, with an indicated and inferred MRE. Infill drilling down to 150 m has been successful, with 87% of the updated resource now classified in the indicated category.

The mineralisation at Tomboronkoto remains open down dip and along strike to the south-west, and ongoing drilling efforts aim to expand the resource further, the company said on September 12.

“We are progressing well with our priority of extending the life of the Mako operation with further drilling success and a significant increase in the mineral resources at the Tomboronkoto project, which is close to the Mako processing facility.

“Engineering work is progressing in parallel to ensure an investment decision can be made on this project in early 2025,” Resolute MD and CEO Terry Holohan said.

He added that drilling at the nearby Bantaco project was also yielding positive results, with updates on these drilling efforts expected soon.

Preliminary metallurgical testwork at Tomboronkoto has shown that the mineralisation is free-milling, with recoveries exceeding 90% from both weathered and fresh material.

Resolute has outlined plans to complete an additional 7 000 m of diamond drilling at Tomboronkoto throughout the remainder of this year.

A more detailed timeline for the project's development is expected to be released in the first quarter of 2025, together with updated results from the ongoing drilling campaign.

The Bantaco deposit, also in Senegal, is undergoing continuous drilling, with artisanal workings having been noted in the area. Resolute signed a joint venture agreement for Bantaco earlier in the year, and the company plans to release an update on this project in the fourth quarter.

The current drilling programme at Bantaco is focused on traversing outcropping gold mineralisation and geochemical anomalies.

In addition to its operations in Senegal, Resolute is engaged in greenfield exploration in Guinea, particularly within the Siguiri basin. The most advanced prospect there is Mansala, which has an initial inferred MRE.

Drilling at Mansala has outlined a gold-mineralised shear zone extending over 1.5 km. The inferred mineral resource currently stands at 6.6-million tonnes grading 1.6 g/t gold for 343 000 oz at a 1 g/t cut-off.

This resource remains open along strike and down dip and Resolute intends to focus on expanding it through further exploration.

Holohan also mentioned that the company was conducting due diligence on a new earn-in project in Côte d’Ivoire.

“We recently agreed terms of an earn-in for a project in Côte d’Ivoire and this will be announced soon subject to finalising our due diligence,” he said.

Resolute’s exploration activities also extend to the Syama Greenstone Belt, where ongoing drilling continues to uncover additional gold. The company aims to soon have exploration drilling underway across four jurisdictions in West Africa, with plans to pursue further opportunities in the region.