ASX-listed Resolute Mining has expanded the mineral resource estimate (MRE) for its 100%-owned ABC project, in north-west Côte d’Ivoire.

Since acquiring ABC in 2025, Resolute has completed over 31 000 m of drilling to expand the existing inferred MRE of 2.16-million ounces. The company explains that additional drilling of over 31 000 m has delivered an expanded inferred MRE of 133-million tonnes grading 0.71 g/t gold for three-million ounces.

Drilling to date by Resolute has confirmed extensions to mineralisation outside the previous mineral resource block models and both Kona South and Kona Central remain open along strike and at depth.

The company says the updated MRE represents an important milestone for the project, adding that the scale and continuity of mineralisation at Kona South and Kona Central deposits provides confidence in the potential for further resource growth at ABC.

Resolute MD and CEO Chris Eger says ABC continues to advance as a priority growth project for Resolute in Côte d’Ivoire.

Since acquiring the asset last year, he says the company has built strong momentum through exploration with the updated MRE representing a key milestone in the project’s development pathway.

Eger adds that the updated MRE shows the potential scale of ABC.

Importantly, he says mineralisation remains open along strike and at depth at both deposits, adding that the company sees clear opportunities for further resource growth through ongoing drilling.

“Our focus has now shifted to the next phase of project derisking and progressing feasibility studies. This will be achieved from the approved work programme which will include further drilling, metallurgical testwork, environmental and social baseline studies, permitting, geotechnical and infrastructure work.

“ABC is being advanced with the objective of becoming Resolute’s fourth mine in West Africa and our second mine in Côte d’Ivoire. We believe ABC can be an important contributor to our strategy of building a diversified, multi-asset gold platform.”

NEXT PHASE
Resolute notes that it has approved the next phase of work to advance ABC through feasibility studies. This is expected to cost between $15-million and $25-million over the next 12 to 18 months.

The work programme includes further infill and extension drilling, technical studies, environmental and social baseline work and metallurgical testwork.

Resolute says it is ramping up drilling activity across the ABC project, with at least 80 000 m of drilling to expand the resource further and convert inferred mineral resources into the indicated category.

There are currently seven rigs on site at Kona, which will increase to 11 rigs in August. This is to accelerate the drill programme which is planned to be completed by the end of this year.

The company adds that preliminary drilling at Moya was successful in identifying potential economic mineralisation in the prospective horizon and follow-up reverse circulation and diamond drilling is planned to be completed in the second half of this year.

On the northern end of the Windou permit surface geochemistry has outlined an untested strong gold anomaly. It is planned that this will be drill tested in the second half of this year.

Additionally, Resolute says a comprehensive metallurgical testwork programme is being initiated to improve understanding of ore characteristics and optimise the processing flowsheet.

The programme will include additional comminution, gravity, leach, recovery and variability testwork across the Kona Central and Kona South deposits.

Results will be used to refine recovery assumptions, reagent consumption, process design criteria and operating cost estimates for future study phases.

In the second half of this year, early work will begin on the environmental- and social-impact assessment (ESIA), as well as land access and environmental approvals.

ESIA workstreams include environmental baseline studies, social baseline studies, stakeholder engagement, land access planning and permitting-related activities.

The company says the early start of the ESIA reflects Resolute’s commitment to responsible project development and proactive engagement with local communities, government stakeholders and regulators.

Resolute is also progressing upgrades to the ABC exploration camp to support the expanded field programme and increased site activity. Planned works include accommodation, communications, core handling, sample preparation areas, power, water and general site logistics.