EcoGraf (ASX: EGR) has reported strong results from maiden exploration at the Hazina prospect within its Southern Frontier gold project in Tanzania.
The initial reconnaissance program included stream sediment and rock chip work at 16 locations focused on alluvial gold in the river gravels of selected outcrops at a number of artisanal workings near to the prospect that EcoGraf believes are a strong indicator of potential bedrock gold mineralisation in the area.
Results identified a fine, coarse, and heavy mineral concentrate fraction returning grades of more than 100 parts per billion gold and a peak value of 8820ppb, with the two highest-grade results aligning with a high-magnetic anomaly at Hazina, providing support from two different angles of exploration targeting.
Four rock chip samples collected from outcrops at two locations returned a maximum 4,450ppb gold (or 4.42g/t), which the company believes demonstrate potential for a Proterozoic gold discovery similar in scale to the 1 million ounce Handeni deposit in the nation’s northwest and the 1.1Moz New Luika mine in the southwest.
Golden Frontier Portfolio
The Southern Frontier project is part of EcoGraf’s Golden Frontier portfolio that also houses the Northern Frontier and Western Frontier projects, all of which are prospective for orogenic gold with potential intrusion-related over printing and sediment-hosted vein mineralisation.
Southern Frontier – which comprises the Hazina, Johari North, Jahari South, Tunu North, and Tuna South targets – is located approximately 15km south of EcoGraf’s flagship ++Epanko graphite project++ in the Ulanga administrative district.
The latest high-grade stream sediment and rock chip results align with a prospective geophysical anomaly and support the company’s initial mineralisation model for the project.
Further work will be aimed at enhancing EcoGraf’s understanding of the mineralisation and moving Southern Frontier towards drill-ready status.
Established Gold Industry
Tanzania’s modern gold mining industry has been active for nearly 30 years, beginning with development of the 3.4Moz Golden Pride gold mine, in which EcoGraf chair Robert Pett and managing director Andrew Spinks played a significant role.
The country hosts more than 70Moz of resources within the Lake Victoria goldfields, complemented by emerging goldfields in adjacent Archean and Proterozoic belts.
Tanzania currently has three Tier 1 operating gold mines at North Mara and Bulyanhulu (operated by Barrick Gold Corporation) and Geita (AngloGold Ashanti) as well as several mid-tier gold mines in operation or under development.
A rapidly-growing gold sector is supported by robust policy frameworks, expanding small-scale mining participation, and a strategic move towards domestic refining.
Mining Executive Appointment
EcoGraf has appointed mining executive John Ciganek to the role of general manager (corporate development), to help deliver the company’s integrated growth vision and capitalise on increasing global demand for sustainable battery materials.
Mr Ciganek has worked in the industry for more than 30 years in senior technical and leadership roles across mining operations, project finance, and corporate advisory for companies including GBA Capital, Vanadium Resources (ASX: VR8), Euclase Capital, BurnVoir Corporate Finance, and Commonwealth Bank (ASX: CBA).
He has been integral in raising more than $5 billion in funding for resource projects worldwide and is experienced in negotiating offtake agreements and securing strategic partnerships.
Mr Ciganek’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for EcoGraf as it advances the Epanko project towards development and staged expansion to become Africa’s largest graphite producer, while accelerating its proprietary HFfree battery anode material strategy across multiple international locations.
