Birim cuts gold in Ghana

Reconnaissance drilling by Birim Goldfields (BGI-T) has led to the discovery of several gold prospects at the Bui project in west-central Ghana.

The program, entailing 3,411 metres in 59 reverse-circulation holes, focused on the Namasa and Brohani soil anomalies. Gold mineralization at both are related to Tarkwaian quartz-pebble conglomerates, similar to those hosting the Tarkwa mine of South African-based Gold Fields (GFI-N).

Gold values at Namasa varied from three-tenths of a gram to 2.36 grams per tonne over mineralized intervals of 4-18 metres. The highest grade occured over 8 metres of mineralization, and the lowest, over 18 metres.

In all, 27 holes were drilled in the anomaly, each no more than 50 metres below surface. Composite samples were taken every 4 metres, and holes were spaced 200 metres apart, along the trend of the anomaly.

Brohani, which lies to the northeast, along the western limb of the Bui syncline, yielded up to 2.8 grams over 4 metres. The next best result was 1.47 grams over 4 metres, and the longest mineralized interval came in at 12 metres and averaged 0.41 gram.

Brohani holes were inclined to grid-east, given that the limb has been overturned to the west.

Holes were spaced 40 metres apart and drilled to about 65 metres below surface.

Unlike Namasa, Brohani forms a prominent ridge that stretches for 10 km. This makes it a possible open-pit target, with low stripping ratios.

Birim has now moved the drillrig over to the 6-km-long Tombe-Parabu anomaly, which, in 1999, returned 15.6 grams over 3.2 metres, 6.3 grams over 4 metres, and 4.5 grams over 4 metres in drilling. The gold is held in quartz-vein stringers that trend obliquely across the enclosing, 250-metre wide anomaly.

In total, 3,660 metres in 85 holes were drilled.

Earlier this year, Birim sold its 90%-stake in the Dunkwa concession in southern Ghana to Golden Star Resources (GSC-T). In return, the company received US$3.4 million in cash and retains a variable royalty based on the quarterly average of the London afternoon gold fix (T.N.M., July 14/03).