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16
AIM: AAU
ASX: AA2
SIGNIFICANT DRILLING PROGRAMME PLANNED TO COMMENCE
AT THE DOKWE GOLD PROJECT,
Highlights:
o Ariana commenced trading on the ASX on
o Flagship >1Moz
o Drilling companies have submitted tenders to undertake a significant new diamond and Reverse Circulation ("RC") drilling programme of c.11,000m at Dokwe; with contracts due to be awarded imminently and drilling to commence in early October.
o The drilling programme is designed to substantially increase the current 1.4Moz Resource and 0.8Moz Reserve (as defined in the Pre-feasibility Study - "PFS") at Dokwe, while also providing additional technical data for the DFS.
o Gold-silver production continues from the Turkish operations (held 23.5% by Ariana), with production from the Tavşan Mine due to be augmented through its heap-leach imminently.
Dr.
"The successful dual-listing of Ariana on the ASX and its associated capital raising of
"The ASX listing provides a powerful platform for us to accelerate our growth strategy, broaden our investor base, and unlock the full potential of our asset portfolio. Central to this is the 100% owned
"With a gold price currently exceeding
Portfolio Overview
The Company holds a 100% interest in Dokwe, which represents one of the most significant gold projects in
The Project is located approximately 110km west of Bulawayo and currently comprises two known gold deposits; Dokwe North and Dokwe Central (Figure 1). The project comprises 81 blocks of gold claims and a further 22 blocks of copper and copper base metal claims covering a total area of 4,040 hectares. These mining claims allow for mining to commence without the requirement for further permitting.
A Pre-Feasibility Study ("PFS") completed in
The Company released an updated in-pit Mineral Resource Estimate for Dokwe North and Central on
The Project targets an open-pit mining operation, with a treatment capacity of 125,000 tonnes per month of ore to the plant during steady-state production, based on the PFS (Figure 2). The PFS evaluated two processing options, with the Carbon-in-Leach (CIL) option advanced to a Reserve schedule. Other key aspects of the Project include its proximity to infrastructure, well-maintained road access and site facilities. The site facilities include a well-established field camp with a fast satellite data connection and with over 42,000 metres of drill core stored on site.
A 0.5% Net Smelter Return (NSR) royalty will be payable to
[1] Based on a foreign exchange rate of US$1:
Figure 1: Dokwe Project Area, with surface gold geochemistry and existing drilling, shown inset against a combined geological and aeromagnetic map of the Bulawayo-
Figure 2: Dokwe Project Area, showing the Dokwe North and Central open-pits and the mining infrastructure plans. The assessment of current exploration data has highlighted certain corridors which host potential for resource extensions and these are marked as the "Excluded Zones" for mining infrastructure. These areas will be the focus of new drilling programmes.
Dokwe Mineral Resource Estimate and Ore Reserves
Table 1: In-pit Mineral Resource Estimate for the
PROJECT |
CLASSIFICATION (REPORTING CUT-OFF GRADE 0.3g/t Au) |
TONNAGE |
GRADE |
CONTAINED GOLD (oz) |
Dokwe North |
Measured |
17,309,000 |
1.06 |
592,000 |
Indicated |
18,562,000 |
0.90 |
537,000 |
|
Inferred |
7,095,000 |
0.82 |
187,000 |
|
Total |
42,966,000 |
0.95 |
1,316,000 |
|
Dokwe Central |
Indicated |
1,811,000 |
1.60 |
93,000 |
Inferred |
120,000 |
1.69 |
7,000 |
|
Total |
1,931,000 |
1.61 |
100,000 |
|
Total |
Measured |
17,309,000 |
1.06 |
592,000 |
Indicated |
20,373,000 |
0.96 |
631,000 |
|
Inferred |
7,214,000 |
0.83 |
193,000 |
|
TOTAL |
44,896,000 |
0.98 |
1,416,000 |
|
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|
PROJECT |
CLASSIFICATION (REPORTING CUT-OFF GRADE 0.6g/t Au) |
TONNAGE |
GRADE |
CONTAINED GOLD (oz) |
Dokwe North |
Measured |
10,220,000 |
1.50 |
493,000 |
Indicated |
8,260,000 |
1.50 |
399,000 |
|
Inferred |
3,123,000 |
1.33 |
134,000 |
|
Total |
21,604,000 |
1.48 |
1,025,000 |
|
Dokwe Central |
Indicated |
1,207,000 |
2.19 |
85,000 |
Inferred |
98,000 |
1.98 |
6,000 |
|
Total |
1,306,000 |
2.18 |
91,000 |
|
Total |
Measured |
10,220,000 |
1.50 |
493,000 |
Indicated |
9,468,000 |
1.59 |
484,000 |
|
Inferred |
3,222,000 |
1.35 |
140,000 |
|
TOTAL |
22,909,000 |
1.52 |
1,116,000 |
Notes:
1. The Dokwe Mineral Resource Estimate is reported in accordance with the JORC Code. Reported using cut-offs grades of 0.3g/t Au and 0.6g/t Au As at
2. Refer to sections 4.8.5 and 4.8.6 of the IGR for further information regarding the Dokwe Mineral Resource Estimate including information required by ASX Listing Rule 5.8.
3. The Dokwe Mineral Resource Estimate is inclusive of Reserves.
Table 2: Ore Reserves for Dokwe North.
CATEGORY |
DILUTED TONNAGE |
GRADE |
CONTAINED GOLD (oz) |
Proven |
7.21 |
1.33 |
307,900 |
Probable |
11.04 |
1.37 |
487,900 |
TOTAL |
18.25 |
1.36 |
795,800 |
Notes:
1. The Dokwe Ore Reserves are reported in accordance with the JORC Code. Reported using a cut-off grade of 0.47g/t Au. As at
2. Refer to section 4.9.1 of the IGR for further information regarding the Dokwe Ore Reserves including information required by ASX Listing Rule 5.9.
Zenit Mining Operations, Türkiye
Ariana established itself as a proven operator in Türkiye through a successful strategy of discovery, development, and production in partnership with local EPCM and general construction partners. The Company currently holds 23.5% of Zenit Mining Operations ("Zenit"), which operates the Kızıltepe
Figure 3: General site view at Tavsan showing the mine offices in the foreground with crushers, screens and agglomerator shown towards the top right. The overland conveyors to the Phase 1 heap-leach pad are installed and run diagonally across the image. Photograph taken in
Figure 4: Tavsan Main open pit, showing the current status of open-pit development. Due to the shallow-dipping nature of the mineralisation, the stripping ratio has not exceeded 2:1 to date. Photograph taken in
Western
Ariana holds an interest of 76% of Western Tethyan Resources ("WTR") in
2 WTR applied for a new exploration licence over the
Venus Minerals,
Ariana holds an interest of 61% in Venus Minerals, a
Compliance Statements
The information in this announcement relating to Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves has been reported by the Company in accordance with the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves' (JORC Code) previously (refer to the Company's replacement prospectus which was released to the ASX market platform on
The information in this announcement that relates to the Dokwe PFS production target, or the forecast financial information derived from that production target was first reported on the ASX in the Previous Market Announcement. The Company confirms that all the material assumptions underpinning the production target, and the forecast financial information derived from the production target, in the Previous Market Announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed.
Competent Persons Statement
The information in the Investment Overview Section of the prospectus (included at Section 3), the Company and Projects Overview (included at Section 5), and the Independent Geologist's Report (included at Annexure A of the prospectus), which relate to exploration targets, exploration results, mineral resources, Ore Reserves and forward looking financial information is based on, and fairly represents, information and supporting documentation prepared by
The Company confirms that the form and context in which the Competent Persons' findings are presented have not been materially modified from the Previous Market Announcement.
Forward looking statements and disclaimer
This announcement contains certain "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward looking words such as "forecast", "likely", "believe", "future", "project", "opinion", "guidance", "should", "could", "target", "propose", "to be", "foresee", "aim", "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "plan", "estimate", "anticipate", "continue", "indicative" and "guidance", and other similar words and expressions, which may include, without limitation, statements regarding plans, strategies and objectives of management, anticipated production dates, expected costs or production outputs for the Company, based on (among other things) its estimates of future production of the Projects.
To the extent that this document contains forward-looking information (including forward-looking statements, opinions or estimates), the forward-looking information is subject to a number of risk factors, including those generally associated with the gold exploration, mining and production businesses. Any such forward-looking statement also inherently involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance and achievements to be materially greater or less than estimated. These factors may include, but are not limited to, changes in commodity prices, foreign exchange fluctuations, general economic and share market conditions, increased costs and demand for production inputs, the speculative nature of exploration and project development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses and permits and diminishing quantities or grades of reserves), changes to the regulatory framework within which the Company operates or may in the future operate, environmental conditions including extreme weather conditions, geological and geotechnical events, and environmental issues, and the recruitment and retention of key personnel.
The Board of
The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 as it forms part of
Contacts:
Dr. |
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Tel: +44 (0) 20 3476 2080 |
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(Nominated Adviser) |
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Tel: +44 (0) 20 7628 3396 |
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Tel: +44 (0) 203 829 5000
Tel: +44 (0) 203 411 7773
Tel: +61 (0)2 9238 1268
Tel: +44 (0) 7983 521 488 |
About
Ariana is a mineral exploration, development and production company dual listed on AIM (AIM: AAU) and ASX (ASX: AA2), with an exceptional track record of creating value for its shareholders through its interests in active mining projects and investments in exploration companies. Its current interests include a major gold development project in
For further information on the vested interests Ariana has, please visit the Company's website at www.arianaresources.com.
Ends.
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