Aim-listed diversified gold explorer and developer Panthera Resources has commenced with a follow-up 150 line km gradient array induced polarisation (IP) survey at the Kalaka gold project, in southern Mali.

This survey follows the successful initial 167 line km IP survey earlier this year, which delineated several high-order chargeability anomalies in the south of the licence area of a project which is held by Panthera through its associated company Moydow.

At the licence area, the K1A gold prospect has been drilled by previous explorers and is coincident with disseminated sulphides that represent the alteration system associated with a large, low-grade gold deposit.

Here drill intercepts found 0.54 g/t of gold for 249.3 m and from a depth of 52 m, as well as 8 m at a grade of 3.17 g/t, from 107 m.

Also, 191.8 m of gold at a grade of 0.52 g/t was found at the end of the hole, while 176.4 m of gold at a grade of 0.49 g/t was found from 24 m to the end of the hole.

Panthera MD Mark Bolton says the IP geophysical technique has worked “exceptionally well” as a direct targeting tool across the company’s West African projects.

“The direct correlation of the large K1A gold mineralisation system with a well-defined IP chargeability high, and the delineation of several additional, discrete chargeability highs, some with associated artisanal workings, geochemical anomalies and previous broad spaced rotary air blast drill intercepts, is very encouraging.”

As such, Panthera reports that the chargeability highs are all considered to be “excellent” exploration targets.

Several of the IP anomalies have higher chargeability responses than those seen at the K1A prospect, suggesting a higher sulphide content and hence possibly more intense alteration, the company reports.

One target in the far south is a high order and is close to a zone of extensive artisanal workings targeting the base of laterite.

Bolton adds that, while direct targets already exist, Panthera has elected to extend the IP survey to close off several high-order anomalies near the edge of the existing surveys, enabling for the best targets to be selected for drill testing later in the year.

“The survey is expected to take around six weeks to complete and results will be reported as soon as they are available.”