Oriole Resources completes phase 5 of drilling at Bibemi gold project
Oriole Resources, has completed the fifth phase of drilling at its Bibemi gold project in Cameroon. The recent drilling campaign, which included 56 holes covering approximately 6,900 meters, was entirely funded by BCM International.
BCM is working toward securing a 50% stake in the project through a $4 million investment. The drilling results have revealed promising gold intersections, reinforcing the potential to enhance and expand the existing mineral resource estimate (MRE).
Bibemi gold project
The Bibemi project covers an area of 177 square kilometers and hosts shear-related gold deposits across four key prospects. Previous exploration efforts concentrated on Bakassi Zone 1, where an MRE of 5.1 million tonnes at an average grade of 2.30 grams per tonne (g/t) of gold, totaling around 375,000 ounces, was reported in January 2024. The latest drilling focused on reducing drill spacing to approximately 50 meters within the main pit design at Bakassi Zone 1. Encouragingly, results from the last seven holes confirmed mineralisation, with 49 gold-bearing intervals identified using a 0.20 g/t cut-off grade.
The successful drilling results have prompted Oriole to update its resource estimate, with independent consultancy Forge International expected to deliver the revised MRE in the second quarter of 2025. In parallel, SEMS Exploration Services is conducting a structural review to refine the geological model, which will further support the resource update. Oriole has also submitted an updated Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and is carrying out advanced metallurgical testing to optimise the mineral processing strategy. These developments are expected to strengthen Oriole’s application for an exploitation licence with Cameroon’s Ministry of Mines.
Oriole’s strategic partnership with BCM International extends beyond Bibemi. In January 2024, the two companies formalised an earn-in agreement for the Mbe gold project, reinforcing Oriole’s long-term growth strategy in Cameroon’s gold sector. The recent progress at Bibemi signals strong potential for resource expansion and upgraded resource classification under the JORC Code.
