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AKORA Expands Resource Footprint With Surface Trenching at Bekisopa Iron Ore Project

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By Imelda Cotton - 
AKORA Resources ASX AKO Expands Resource Footprint Surface Trenching Bekisopa Iron Ore Project
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AKORA Resources (ASX: AKO) has commenced surface trenching exploration at its wholly-owned Bekisopa project in Madagascar, aimed at expanding the footprint of the near-surface direct shipping iron ore (DSO) resource.

The program will focus on visible outcropping zones of potential DSO in areas outside of the known mineral resource, noting that some 60% of the known strike remains unexplored.

AKORA has already identified a number of priority areas based on potential surface outcrops and the underlying magnetic anomaly.

Historical Trenching Zones

AKORA will target historical pitting and trenching zones established by the French Geological Society in the 1950s to support cost-effective mapping and potential resource extension.

Once it has complete mapping, Akora will establish a plan to excavate up to 300 metres of trenches to a maximum 2m depth in regions outside of the current resource footprint.

Bekisopa’s ore reserve currently sits at 9.1 million tonnes with an average grade of 53% iron for 7.8Mt of lump and fine DSO product averaging 60% iron over Stage 1 operations.

AKORA has conducted five campaigns since 2021 covering 40% of the magnetic anomaly, leaving significant exploration potential along a 6km strike length.

A March pre-feasibility study (PFS) detailing a low capital start-up project with strong cash flow potential is supporting the trenching program.

Surface DSO Mineralisation

Managing director Peter Bird hoped the program would build on the PFS findings.

“This exploration trenching initiative will test the surface expression of DSO mineralisation between the Central and Southern pits where an additional 1Mt of resource material could potentially add US$21 million to the current defined NPV10 of US$147m,” he said.

“We have chosen to use trenching at this stage as the resource outcrops at surface and the technique will provide a highly cost-effective means of evaluating and expanding the mineral resource before we commit to deeper drilling.”

Mr Bird said Bekisopa exploration had not been impacted by the ongoing civil unrest in Madagascar.

“We will continue to closely monitor the current political situation, and advance this project over the coming weeks as planned.”