12th Jun 2025 07:00
The information contained within this announcement is deemed to constitute inside information as stipulated under the retained EU law version of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 (the "UK MAR") which is part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. The information is disclosed in accordance with the Company's obligations under Article 17 of the UK MAR. Upon the publication of this announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.
Oriole Resources PLC
('Oriole Resources' or the 'Company')
Mbe drilling delivers further significant gold mineralisation from very near surface
- including 21.30m at 1.61g/t gold and 2.50m at 10.31g/t gold
Oriole Resources PLC (AIM: ORR), the AIM quoted gold exploration company focused on West and Central Africa, is pleased to provide an update on its 90%[1] owned Mbe orogenic gold project (the 'Project') in Cameroon, including further positive drill results that reinforce Mbe's potential to be a major new gold discovery.
Highlights
· Results from drill hole MBDD012 have increased the total number of mineralised gold ('Au') intersections from the maiden ('Phase 1') drilling programme to nearly 200 (using a 0.20 g/t Au lower cut-off grade; see Figures 1 & 2 and Table 1 below), including:
o 21.30m at 1.61g/t Au from 2.40m, including 11.00m at 2.04g/t Au and 4.00m at 2.53g/t Au
o 3.20m at 0.52g/t from 86.50m, including 1.10m at 1.20g/t Au
o 2.50m at 10.31g/t Au from 98.50m, including 1.50m at 14.70g/t Au
o 3.10m at 1.10g/t Au from 179.60m
· Hole MBDD012 was drilled on fence line N872582, located between previously drilled fence lines N872482 (100m to the south) and N872682 (100m to the north), and to the west of MBDD010 and MBDD011 for which results were reported earlier this week (announcement dated 10 June 2025).
· The 21.30m at 1.61g/t Au intersection from 2.40m is located approximately 110m to the northwest of previously reported best intersection of 86.50m at 1.36g/t Au from 22.00m in hole MBDD008 (announcement dated 12 May 2025) and, based on the soil results (see Figure 2) would suggest a coherent zone of mineralisation between these fence lines.
· These near-surface results, together with those reported for holes MBDD010 and MBDD011, further support the along-strike continuity of mineralisation between all three fence lines reported to date. Sub-surface mineralisation has therefore been confirmed over a strike length of at least 200m, a width of up to 400m and to a vertical depth of as least 290m. The system remains open in all directions and at depth.
· The fully funded Phase 1 drilling programme at the MB01-S target is almost 70% complete, with 4,568.90m drilled to date, and with 15 holes (MBDD001-015) completed and a sixteenth hole (MBDD016) in progress.
· Results for hole MBDD013 are expected in late Q2/early Q3 2025, with samples on their way to Bureau Veritas in Côte d'Ivoire for fire assay analysis. Once these have been received, the Company plans for an independent consultant to produce a JORC Exploration Target estimation in Q3 2025, to provide early guidance on the resource potential of the Project.
· The drilling programme is currently scheduled for completion in Q3 2025, and the Company anticipates publishing an independent consultant's maiden, pit-contained MRE in Q4-2025. The Company believes that the Project could be mined by open pit mining methods.
Commenting, Chief Executive Officer of Oriole Resources, Martin Rosser, said: "The latest results from hole MBDD012 are some of the best gold mineralised intersections reported to date, both for length and grade; and start from very near surface. Our geological understanding of the deposit continues to grow with the drilling results for each new hole and with it our confidence that Mbe has significant gold resource potential."
Figure 1. Interpretative cross section for fence line N872582 at MB01-S, with selected mineralised intervals from holes MBDD010 to MBDD012; a full interpretation for this line is pending results for hole MBDD013. The fence line is located approximately 15m to the south of trench MBT0015, the results for which are shown in red along the surface trace. It is also noted that artisanal excavations in this trench led to significant gaps in sampling as follows: 94-164m, 169-172m and 174-179m.
Further Details
Mbe, with a licence area of 312km2, is an orogenic gold project located within the broader 2,266km2 'Eastern CLP' package of five contiguous gold focused exploration licences in the Adamawa Region of central Cameroon. Since 2022, the Company's systematic exploration programmes have identified a 3km long, NE trending prospect, named MB01, which sits within a wider 12.5km long zone of gold-in-soil anomalism that trends ENE.
At MB01, increased dilation at the sites of structural intersections (steeply dipping NNE and NNW trending shear structures) is believed to have resulted in enhanced levels of gold deposition at the northern target, MB01-N, and MB01-S, the southern target. Gold mineralisation at these targets comprises high-grade, sulphide-rich quartz veins, veinlets and breccias within wider envelopes of pervasive, lower-grade gold mineralisation.
After highly encouraging results from infill soil sampling, rock-chip sampling, and trench sampling, a fully funded maiden drilling programme commenced at the MB01-S target in late November 2024 for a planned 6,590m in 24 holes. BCM International has acquired an initial 10% interest in Mbe and is earning up to a further 40% interest by spending up to US$4 million on exploration.
A total of 4,568.90m has been drilled to date, with 15 holes (MBDD001-015) completed and a sixteenth hole (MBDD016) in progress. The Company today reports results for the twelfth hole of the programme (MBDD012), drilled towards the west (270˚). This hole is located to the west of previously reported holes MBDD010 and MBDD011, on infill fence line N872582 that is ~100m north of fence line N872482 (holes MBDD001, MBDD002, and MBDD007-009), and ~100m south of fence line N872682 (holes MBDD003-006). Results have delivered 16 further gold mineralised intersections (Table 1, Figure 2), such as: 21.30m at 1.61g/t Au, including 11.00m at 2.04g/t Au and 4.00m at 2.53g/t Au, and 2.50m at 10.31g/t Au, including 1.50m at 14.70g/t Au. A review of the QAQC samples has confirmed that the data falls within acceptable limits of error. The total number of gold-bearing intersections from the first twelve holes in the programme, MBDD001-012 for 3,617.30m drilled, stands at 196, equating to a discovery rate of approximately one intersection per 18.50m.
Figure 2. Plan for Phase 1 drilling at MB01-S with a selection of best results to date from MBDD001 to MBDD012. Green dots denote holes drilled towards 090 degrees (Grid North) and blue dots are those drilled towards 270 degrees.
Table 1. Calculated intersections from Phase 1 holes MBDD012, using a 0.20g/t Au lower cut-off grade. Results greater than 1.00g/t Au are in bold.
Hole ID | From (m) | To (m) | Grade (Au g/t) | Intersection |
MBDD012 | 2.40 | 23.70 | 1.61 | 21.30m at 1.61g/t Au |
including | 2.40 | 13.40 | 2.04 | 11.00m at 2.04g/t Au |
including | 17.70 | 21.70 | 2.53 | 4.00m at 2.53g/t Au |
and | 26.80 | 27.95 | 0.23 | 1.15m at 0.23g/t Au |
and | 31.35 | 32.50 | 0.29 | 1.15m at 0.29g/t Au |
and | 38.50 | 43.40 | 0.38 | 4.90m at 0.38g/t Au |
and | 56.30 | 57.50 | 0.89 | 1.20m at 0.89g/t Au |
and | 62.10 | 63.20 | 0.61 | 1.10m at 0.61g/t Au |
and | 73.10 | 74.20 | 0.56 | 1.10m at 0.56g/t Au |
and | 76.30 | 77.30 | 0.63 | 1.00m at 0.63g/t Au |
and | 79.40 | 82.50 | 0.36 | 3.10m at 0.36g/t Au |
and | 86.50 | 89.70 | 0.52 | 3.20m at 0.52g/t Au |
including | 88.60 | 89.70 | 1.20 | 1.10m at 1.20g/t Au |
and | 98.50 | 101.00 | 10.31 | 2.50m at 10.31g/t Au |
including | 99.50 | 101.00 | 14.70 | 1.50m at 14.70g/t Au |
and | 105.10 | 106.10 | 0.21 | 1.00m at 0.21g/t Au |
and | 179.60 | 182.70 | 1.10 | 3.10m at 1.10g/t Au |
and | 207.00 | 208.00 | 0.64 | 1.00m at 0.64g/t Au |
and | 216.30 | 217.40 | 0.22 | 1.10m at 0.22g/t Au |
and | 238.40 | 239.50 | 0.97 | 1.10m at 0.97g/t Au |
* Intersections greater than 1.00m, calculated using a 0.20g/t Au lower cut-off grade and no more than 5.00m consecutive internal dilution or 35% total internal dilution. True widths are not currently known.
The mineralisation in MBDD012 correlates well with previously reported results, and the style of mineralisation is consistent with the rest of the Mbe deposit, mainly steeply NE-dipping higher-gold grading smoky quartz veins hosted by a quartz feldspar porphyry (QFP) unit, and broader, but lower gold-grading zones associated with the intersection of the NE-dipping (NW trending) and E-dipping structures (approximately N-S trending). The majority of gold mineralised intervals have been reported within 100m of surface, with the potential for higher-grade zones within the broader, lower-grade envelopes, flagged by the 2.50m at 10.31g/t Au intersection that relates to an ~1m-wide quartz-sulphide vein (Figure 3).
Figure 3. Approximately 1m-wide smoky quartz and sulphide vein by a QFP intrusion in MBDD012. Using a 0.20g/t Au lower cut-off, the zone returned 2.50m at 10.31g/t Au, including 1.50m at 14.70g/t Au.
Importantly, the 21.30m at 1.61g/t Au intersection from 2.40m is located approximately 110m to the northwest of previously reported best intersection of 86.50m at 1.36g/t Au from 22.00m in hole MBDD008 (announcement dated 12 May 2025) and, based on the soil results (see Figure 2) would suggest a coherent zone. All holes to date have reported multiple significant (≥0.20g/t Au) intersections; further information including a full list of these intersections can be found in the JORC Table 1 disclosure on the following page of the Company's website: https://orioleresources.com/projects/mbe/.
These results, together with those previously reported from holes MBDD001-MBDD011, have provided further support for the along-strike (north-south) continuity of mineralisation between the three drill fence lines drilled to date, proving the sub-surface continuity of mineralisation over a strike length of over 200m, with a width of up to 400m, and a vertical depth of at least 290m. The system remains open in all directions and at depth.
Results for MBDD013 are expected in late Q2/early Q3 2025, with samples already on their way to Bureau Veritas laboratory in Côte d'Ivoire for fire assay analysis. Once these have been received, the Company plans for an independent consultant to produce a JORC Exploration Target estimation in Q3 2025, to provide earlier guidance on the resource potential of the Project.
This drilling programme is currently scheduled for completion in Q3 2025, and the Company anticipates publishing an independent consultant's maiden, pit-contained MRE in Q4 2025, which will be estimated in accordance with the JORC code.
Competent Persons Statement
The technical information in this release that relates to Exploration Results and the planned exploration programme has been compiled by Mrs Claire Bay (Executive Director). Claire Bay (MGeol, CGeol) is a Competent Person as defined in the JORC code and takes responsibility for the release of this information. Claire has reviewed the information in this announcement and confirms that she is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information reproduced here.
Enquiries:
Oriole Resources Plc | Tel: +44 (0)23 8065 1649 |
Martin Rosser / Bob Smeeton / Claire Bay | |
| |
Strand Hanson Limited (Nomad & Broker) | Tel: +44 (0)20 7409 3494 |
Christopher Raggett / James Spinney / Edward Foulkes
| |
IFC Advisory Ltd (Financial IR & PR) | Tel: +44 (0)20 3934 6630 |
Tim Metcalfe / Graham Herring / Florence Staton |
Glossary and Abbreviations
Au | Gold |
g/t | Grammes per tonne |
JORC | Joint Ore Reserves Committee |
JORC Code | 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves |
km | Kilometre |
km2 | Square kilometre |
Mbe | Mbe orogenic gold project |
m | Metres |
MRE | Mineral Resource Estimate |
Oriole Resources or the Company | Oriole Resources PLC |
oz | Troy ounce of gold |
Phase 1 | Maiden diamond drilling programme at the MB01-S target, Mbe |
Project | Mbe orogenic gold project |
QFP | Quartz Feldspar Porphyry |
Notes to Editors
Oriole Resources PLC is an AIM-quoted gold exploration company, with projects in West and Central Africa. It is focused on early-stage exploration in Cameroon, where the Company has reported a Resource of 460,000oz contained gold at 2.06g/t Au in the JORC Indicated and Inferred categories at its 90% owned Bibemi project and has identified multi-kilometre gold and lithium anomalies within the district scale Central Licence Package project. BCM International is currently earning up to a 50% interest in the Bibemi and Mbe projects in return for a combined investment of US$1.5 million in signature payments, up to US$8 million in exploration expenditure, as well as JORC resource-based success payments.
At the Senala gold project in Senegal, AGEM Senegal Exploration Suarl ('AGEM'), a wholly owned subsidiary of Managem Group, has completed a six-year earn-in to acquire an approximate 59% beneficial interest in the Senala Exploration Licence by spending US$5.8 million. Discussions on the formation of a joint venture company are currently underway. The Company also has several interests and royalties in companies operating in East Africa and Turkey that could give future cash payments.
For further information please visit www.orioleresources.com, @OrioleResources on X
[1] Oriole is currently undertaking a restructuring process that, once completed, will see it increase its holding from 80% to a 90% interest in the Project (announcement dated 17 October 2024).
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