Dalaroo Metals Ltd (DAL) is finalizing preparations for a 20,000-metre maiden drilling campaign at the Bondoukou gold project in Côte d'Ivoire. The company plans to begin site pad preparation this week, marking a shift from advanced exploration planning to active field operations. This initial program is designed as a staged discovery effort aimed at identifying bedrock mineralisation and refining the geological model across a seven-kilometre gold corridor.

The first phase of the campaign, which is scheduled to commence in early August 2026, will comprise 10,000 metres of Reverse Circulation drilling. This work will focus exclusively on the Wilfred Target, the largest of three priority zones identified by the company. Dalaroo selected Reverse Circulation drilling for this stage due to its speed and cost efficiency, which will allow for a more systematic testing of the target area at depths of 100 to 150 metres. The company intends to integrate the resulting geochemical and geological data into its models to guide the subsequent stages of the project.

Following the completion and assessment of the initial phase, the company intends to transition to diamond drilling for Phases 2 and 3. This subsequent 10,000-metre program will target the strongest geological and geochemical positions discovered at Wilfred, with the potential for expanded testing at the Mag and Ali targets. The primary objective of utilizing diamond drilling is to obtain continuous drill core, which will provide the necessary structural and geological detail to better understand the orientation and continuity of potential gold mineralisation.

Dalaroo manages a diverse asset base that includes both its gold projects in Côte d'Ivoire and rare earth element projects in Greenland. The company’s focus on the Bondoukou project represents a significant advancement of its exploration strategy as it seeks to translate earlier geochemical datasets into a refined understanding of its mineralised systems. The upcoming commencement of drilling marks a key milestone for the company’s 2026 operational objectives as it systematically tests its primary gold targets.

Read the full announcement: Preparation of 10,000m RC drilling nears completion