Fortuna Mining Corp. is thrilled to share an update on the exciting exploration programs underway at its Séguéla Mine in Côte d’Ivoire. The results are promising, showcasing significant potential for gold mineralization at the mine.
Kingfisher: A Growing Prospect
The Kingfisher prospect continues to impress with its substantial size and potential. Recent drilling has extended the defined strike to over 2 kilometers, and importantly, the mineralization remains open at depth. Highlights include a remarkable intercept of 14.2 g/t Au over an estimated true width of 16.8 meters from 100 meters in drill hole SGRC1865. This discovery is particularly exciting because it extends the known mineralization and confirms its potential for large-scale development.
Fortuna has drilled a total of 58 holes at Kingfisher, covering 6,966 meters. This extensive drilling program has revealed continuous mineralization along a strike length exceeding 2 kilometers. Notably, it has merged three previously identified separate lodes into a single, continuous zone of mineralization. Drilling continues, testing the depth potential along this promising zone. The company also plans to conduct additional exploratory drilling to the south, where limited surface geochemistry is available. This area is considered a key target for future exploration due to its potential to extend the known mineralization even further.
Understanding Mineralization at Kingfisher
The mineralization at Kingfisher exhibits a clear association with a strongly deformed contact zone between felsic intrusives, quartz veining, and host basaltic units. This structure, identified through regional aeromagnetic surveys, extends along the 32-kilometer length of the Seguela permit, highlighting the vast regional prospectivity of the project. The change in strike orientation along the structure, from north-south to north-east, coincides with the higher grade, broader mineralization intervals. This observation is crucial for understanding the geological controls on gold mineralization and for guiding future exploration efforts.
Sunbird Deposit: Expanding Potential
Exploration efforts continue at the Sunbird deposit, focusing on infill and depth extension drilling to support the potential for underground mining. Recent results from the first five holes of a planned 12,000-meter drilling program are encouraging, including a significant intercept of 8.8 g/t Au over an estimated true width of 6.3 meters from 301 meters in drill hole SGDD140. This intercept, along with other positive results, confirms that mineralization remains open 600 meters below surface, offering substantial depth potential for future mining operations.
Looking Ahead: Continued Exploration and Development
Fortuna is committed to expanding its exploration efforts at both the Kingfisher and Sunbird deposits. The company plans to continue drilling with two rigs throughout the remainder of 2024, with the aim of further defining the strike and depth potential of Kingfisher. This intensive drilling program will lay the groundwork for establishing a maiden inferred mineral resource for Kingfisher early in 2025.
At Sunbird, the drilling program will continue to infill and extend the current mineralized footprint, supporting a comprehensive evaluation of underground mining potential. Fortuna is also conducting preliminary underground mining studies to explore the feasibility of this promising development option.
With a focus on exploration and a commitment to sustainable mining practices, Fortuna Mining Corp. is poised to unlock the full potential of its Séguéla Mine in Côte d’Ivoire. The company’s exploration successes, coupled with its strategic plans for future development, position Fortuna as a leader in the gold mining industry.
