Apollo Minerals (ASX: AON) has made an astonishing discovery at its Salane project in Gabon, West Africa, unearthing visible gold with assay grades soaring as high as 429 grams per tonne. This remarkable find comes from a mine that has remained dormant since the 1950s, shedding light on the region’s potential for significant gold deposits. In this article, we delve into the details of this exciting development.
Unearthing Hidden Treasures in Gabon
Apollo Minerals, an Australian-based mining company, has set its sights on Gabon, a nation known for its mineral-rich lands. Within Gabon, Apollo Minerals owns two significant projects: the Salane gold project, which has captured recent attention, and the Kroussou zinc-lead deposit.
Located just 16 kilometers from the bustling town of Lambarene and less than 2 kilometers from the sealed N1 highway, the Salane project’s proximity to essential infrastructure makes it an appealing prospect for further exploration and development.
Rediscovering Gold: Historical Trenching and Beyond
The Salane project’s history dates back to the 1950s when it was part of the French Empire. During that era, the mine yielded substantial gold, with records indicating the production of 20,000 ounces at an impressive grade of 12 grams per tonne. Notably, 5,000 ounces of that total were derived from mining outcropping quartz veins down to the water level, while the remainder originated from alluvial workings.
Historical mapping from this period identified numerous gold occurrences within the project area. One such occurrence is the A1 prospect, situated within the 1.5-kilometer-long Salane fault. Recent exploration efforts have yielded astounding results, with visible gold in quartz veining returning astonishing grades of 429 grams per tonne and 125 grams per tonne. These discoveries were made adjacent to historical trenching.
Further rock chip samples collected from the vicinity of the trenching have exhibited equally impressive grades, ranging from 306 grams per tonne to 247 grams per tonne in quartz veining. The P6 prospect at the Salane project also demonstrated its potential, with sampling producing an assay of 53 grams per tonne in outcropping quartz.
Modern Exploration Begins
Since the mid-1950s, the Salane project has remained untouched by modern exploration and drilling. Apollo Minerals’ Managing Director, Neil Inwood, acknowledges the project’s unexplored potential. He states, “With alluvial workings extending 5 kilometers to the north and our own soil anomalies extending 1.2 kilometers to the south, and open, we believe that Salane may have the scale and gold grades for a significant gold discovery.”
This revelation raises the possibility of a renewed era of exploration and development in the region, with the potential for substantial gold deposits to be uncovered. As the company awaits further assay results and continues its investigations, the Salane project stands as a testament to the untapped mineral wealth that can lie dormant for decades.
Belgrade Copper Deposit in Serbia
In addition to the Salane project’s remarkable findings, Apollo Minerals has recently expanded its portfolio with the addition of the Belgrade copper deposit in Serbia. This decision underscores the company’s commitment to exploring and developing mineral resources on a global scale.
Historic rock chip sampling at the Belgrade copper deposit has produced assays that are equally impressive, with grades reaching up to 20% copper and 1,540 parts per million silver. As the company prepares to commence fieldwork in this promising region, it is clear that Apollo Minerals is actively pursuing opportunities to diversify and enhance its mineral resource base.
Apollo Minerals’ Remarkable Discovery in Gabon
Apollo Minerals’ recent gold discovery at the Salane project in Gabon serves as a compelling reminder of the untapped potential that can lie hidden in historical mining sites. The visible gold with assay grades as high as 429 grams per tonne showcases the rich mineralization of the region, sparking renewed interest in the project after decades of dormancy.
As modern exploration and drilling activities take center stage at Salane, the possibility of a significant gold discovery looms on the horizon. Apollo Minerals’ commitment to expanding its mineral resource portfolio, exemplified by the addition of the Belgrade copper deposit in Serbia, underscores the company’s dedication to exploring and developing mineral resources globally.
The future looks bright for Apollo Minerals as it continues to unearth hidden treasures in the world of mining and exploration.
