Kobo Resources (TSXV:KRI) has launched the first phase of its drilling operation at the wholly-owned Kossou Gold Project in Cote d’Ivoire, a region known for its significant gold yields in West Africa. The operation for this year involves a comprehensive 8,000 metres of reverse circulation drilling divided into two distinct stages. The first stage of the program will focus on the Jagger Zone, Road Cut Zone, and the Contact Zone – these areas have been prioritized based on their previously identified high-grade gold mineralization in rock and trench samples.

Edward Gosselin, CEO and Director of Kobo commented in a press release: “With the completion of the road access and drill platforms, we are pleased to have started our maiden drill program at the Kossou Gold Project with the immediate objective of defining the strike and down-dip extensions of the gold mineralization identified on surface. The recently reported high-grade intersection averaging 29 m at 6.42 g/t Au in trench KTR028 at Jagger Zone represents our primary target, and we look forward to delineating a significant gold-bearing shear structure in this area.”

The initial phase comprises 45 angled boreholes, varying between 50 m and 230 m in depth, with a total length of 4,250 m. The drill plan involves conducting 23 holes at the Jagger Zone (2,650 m), 10 holes at the Road Cut Zone (1,000 m), and 12 holes (600 m) at the Contact Zone.

After a brief halt to evaluate the results of the first phase, the second phase of reverse circulation drilling, covering 3,750 m, will take place. The break will also facilitate planning for additional drilling platforms at the Jagger South Zone and other company-identified targets.

The Jagger Zone, distinguished by a prominent, well-structured north-south shear zone, has been identified as the primary target for the 2023 Exploration Program in light of recent trench results. Gold mineralization was validated in the zone through detailed infill soil sampling, geological mapping, and trenching. The Jagger Shear Zone, characterized by the most pronounced soil geochemical anomaly found at Kossou to date, is about 1.85 km in length with peak gold soil concentrations reaching up to 112 g/t Au.

High-grade gold zones were found in recent sampling results for trench KTR028. The westernmost zone showcases 6.42 g/t over 29.0 m, which includes sub-intervals of 18.04 g/t Au over 5 m, 11.44 g/t over 8 m, and 5.53 g/t Au over 17 m. The entire strike length of the Jagger Zone, incorporating untested geochemical anomalies, is a primary focus for the 2023 drilling plan.

Originally identified during early exploration work at Kossou, the Road Cut Zone is located within another shear zone, hosting altered volcanic rocks frequently intersected by quartz and quartz-carbonate veins. The initial exposure returned 4.64 g/t Au over an 18.2 m length in continuous chip samples.

The Contact Zone, where the Jagger Shear Zone intersects the juncture between meta-volcanic and meta-sedimentary rocks, is considered by the Company to have a high potential for significant gold mineralization. Notably, artisanal mining of free gold along the Lake Kossou shoreline aligns directly above and along the interpreted geological contact, as shown by airborne magnetic data. Recent geological mapping and rock chip sampling in this area have identified grades of 7.10 g/t Au.

The above references an opinion and is for information purposes only. It is not intended to be investment advice. Seek a licensed professional for investment advice. The author is not an insider or shareholder of any of the companies mentioned above.