Awalé Resources Limited (TSXV: ARIC) is excited to announce new drilling results from the initial 12 holes of its resource and expansion drilling program at the BBM gold-copper discovery within the Odienné Project in Côte d'Ivoire. Recent assays confirm strong grade continuity and thickness at BBM, enhancing confidence as Awalé approaches its initial Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) targeted for Q2 2026.
The company has also completed an 11-hole, 7,000-metre step-down program aimed at exploring the down-plunge extension of BBM's high-grade core, designed to assess underground potential to approximately 600 metres vertical depth. Assays for this deeper drilling are pending, with more insights expected in the coming weeks.
Andrew Chubb, President and CEO of Awalé Resources, commented, "BBM continues to deliver consistent grade and width, showcasing the growth potential we anticipated from this significant gold-copper discovery. The robust nature of mineralization increases our confidence in the upcoming mineral resource estimate. Alongside this shallow infill program, we are also drill-testing the down-plunge extension of the high-grade shoot that forms the core of BBM mineralization. Early indications show increasing grade at depth, and we are looking forward to the results from this deeper drilling soon."
The 11-hole, 7,000-metre drilling program is part of a broader phase designed to evaluate the underground potential of the BBM target, testing continuity down to 600 metres below the surface. If successful, plans for further step-out drilling to explore down to 800 metres below surface will follow.
Results from this deeper drilling will be crucial for assessing the long-term scale and underground potential of the BBM system. Higher-grade intervals intercepted within this shoot are summarized in the accompanying tables.
This announcement represents the second batch of assays from Awalé's 2026 resource development drilling across BBM, Charger, and Empire, contributing to the Company's ambitious 100,000-metre drill campaign at Odienné.
The twelve holes reported are part of a 20-hole resource drilling program aimed at supporting an initial mineral resource estimate for the BBM target by Q2 2026. This phase is focused on testing the continuity of the mineralized system to 300 metres below surface while further defining the geometry and grade distribution of mineralized zones. Hole OEDD-157 was drilled as a twin to the previously reported OEDD-74 for broader metallurgical studies.
Additionally, an initial two-hole diamond drill program has been completed as a step-out to the northwest of the resource drill area to enhance understanding of the geology and mineralization associated with a modeled second plunging shoot.
Awalé is committed to systematic mineral exploration, focusing on significant high-grade gold and copper-gold deposits in Côte d'Ivoire. The Odienné Project encompasses 2,346 km2 across seven permits, including areas under the Awalé-Newmont Joint Venture, managed by Awalé with funding from Newmont Ventures Limited.
The underexplored Odienné Project presents multiple pipeline prospects with geochemical signatures similar to Iron Oxide Copper Gold (IOCG) and intrusive-related mineral systems, indicating substantial upside potential. With a skilled technical team, the company is poised to continue exploring in a pro-mining jurisdiction that offers significant potential for district-scale discoveries.
The analytical work for drill samples is conducted at Intertek Laboratories in Ghana and Australia, ensuring rigorous quality control. Mineralized interval calculations are based on downhole length-weighted intercepts, with significant intervals reported at various gold trigger values.
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