By: Creamer media

The company explains that the programme is designed to infill resource estimation drilling, enhancing geological confidence ahead of the planned first gold pour in the fourth quarter.

It notes that drilling has targeted areas within the proposed openpit design, focusing on zones identified for early-stage mining.

The majority of assays received to date are from the south-west portion of the Mansounia orebody, demonstrating strong mineral continuity.

Drilling at Mansounia is ongoing with 61 700 m complete. Robex says further assays will be reported as they are received.

The drilling was designed to cover the initial three months of mining the Mansounia pit design area to depths of 30 m to 50 m.

The assay results received to date are from the first 50% of the holes designed. Robex says the remainder of these holes will be completed and reported over the coming months.

Meanwhile, on July 9, the company secured an amendment to its $130-million facility agreement with Sprott Resource Lending, releasing $25-million from the cash sweep account to fund construction of the Kiniero project.

Robex says this is a positive development for its Guinean operations.

“We are pleased to report strong gold grades from this round of grade control drilling which adds further confidence to the mining proposition at Mansounia.

“The mineralised zones and grades defined by our grade control programmes are confirming our expectations of the Mansounia deposit,” says MD and CEO Matt Wilcox.