NYSE- and TSX-listed Fortuna Silver Mines has increased the mineral resource estimate of the Sunbird deposit at Séguéla, in Côte d’Ivoire, including a maiden indicated resource of 3.2-million tonnes at an average grade of 2.74 g/t gold, containing 279 000 oz and an inferred resource of 4.2-million tonnes at 3.74 g/t containing 506 000 oz.
The upgraded estimate incorporates an additional 41 diamond and reverse circulation drill holes totalling 14 520 m to the maiden inferred mineral resource, all of which were drilled by Fortuna during 2022.
Senior VP of exploration Paul Weedon commented that drilling had continued to highlight the exploration potential of Séguéla.
Ongoing extension drilling at Sunbird continues to expand the mineralised footprint, extending the southern high-grade shoot a further 75 m along strike with drill hole SGDD109 intersecting 10.2 g/t gold over a true width of 9.1 m and drill hole SGDD110 intersecting 10.2 g/t gold over a true width of 7.0 m. Additionally, drilling has also confirmed the continuity of mineralisation between the central and southern high-grade shoots, with intersections such as drill hole SGDD106 intersecting 6.5 g/t gold over a true width of 15.4 m,” said Weedon.
Further, regional exploration work has also identified two new prospects, at Barana and Badior. Results include 11.5 g/t gold over a true width of 15.4 m from drill hole SGRC1521 at Badior.
Furthermore, continued exploration at the previously identified Kestrel prospect has extended mineralisation an additional 200 m along strike with highlights including 20.3 g/t gold over a true width of 3.5 m from drill hole SGRC1537.