AIM-listed Ariana Resources has uncovered a substantial 500-meter-long gold-in-soil anomaly located just 125 meters northeast of the planned Dokwe North pit rim at its Dokwe gold project in Zimbabwe.
The discovery was made using advanced portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) technology coupled with detectORE analysis, revealing a geochemically significant gold-arsenic signature that closely mirrors the mineralisation pattern observed at the main Dokwe North deposit.
The newly identified anomaly presents a compelling exploration target, as no previous drilling has been conducted in this immediate area.
This finding significantly enhances the project's potential to host a multi-million-ounce gold system and could represent a northeast extension of the known Dokwe North mineralisation.
The company's ongoing regional soil sampling programme, which has already collected and analysed 6,139 samples across the 42 km² project area, led to the identification of an arsenic anomaly (4-8 ppm) that prompted follow-up testing.
Subsequent detectORE analysis confirmed the presence of the gold-in-soil anomaly, which trends northeast for approximately 500 metres, aligning with Dokwe North's mineralisation.
“The discovery of this anomaly aligns with everything we have learnt about the Dokwe mineralisation style and its geological context, as well as the dispersal patterns of trace elements in the soil profile above the orebody,” said company managing director Kerim Sener.
"Importantly, this breakthrough also demonstrates how detectORE can be applied regionally.”
Ariana plans to prioritise drilling of this new target as part of its exploration strategy.
The results will be incorporated into the ongoing feasibility study for the Dokwe project, potentially influencing the final mine layout.
The Dokwe gold project already hosts a million-ounce gold resource.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor-In-Chief, Rough & Polished
