Sama Resources launches drilling program at Yepleu prospect in Côte d’Ivoire
Sama Resources Inc. has initiated a significant drilling program at the Yepleu prospect in Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa. This program aims to further explore the near surface nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), and platinum group elements (PGE) mineralization previously discovered.
The drilling area covers a corridor of approximately 3 km by 500 to 700 meters, identified as a high conductivity zone through earlier airborne electromagnetic surveys. The drilling, which commenced in mid-September 2023, is expected to continue until mid-November. So far, 18 holes totaling 1,200 meters have been drilled out of the planned 50 holes and 3,800 meters. The goal is to delineate near surface mineral resources to enhance the overall resource base of the Samapleu-Grata-Yepleu project area.
Opportunities
Sama’s focus has recently been on deep mineral potential at Yepleu using Ivanhoe Electric’s proprietary Typhoon technology. This new program shifts attention to near surface opportunities, which are crucial for understanding the full mineral potential of the Yepleu prospect. The area of interest is part of the Yacouba layered complex of mafic and ultramafic rock, which Sama discovered. This complex dates back approximately 2.1 billion years and extends over 30 kilometers within Sama’s properties.
In June 2023, Sama updated the mineral resource estimates for the Samapleu-Grata deposits, reporting a combined estimate of 101.9 million tonnes (Mt) with significant amounts of Ni, Cu, Co, Pd, and Pt. This estimate underscores the project’s potential, aligning it with other globally significant Ni-Cu deposits.
Core logging and sampling are conducted at Sama’s field facilities, with sample preparation at Bureau Veritas Mineral Laboratory in Abidjan. Samples are then sent to Activation Laboratories Ltd in Canada for assaying.
Sama Resources Inc., headquartered in Canada, focuses on the Samapleu nickel-copper project in Côte d’Ivoire. They hold a 70% interest in the project, with Ivanhoe Electric owning 30%. Ivanhoe Electric, which focuses on electric metals exploration, has the option to increase its stake to 60%. The Samapleu project is part of a 125 km-long base metal camp in West Africa, adjacent to significant nickel-cobalt laterite deposits.
