Awalé Confirms BBM's Continuity with 2.0 g/t Gold Equivalent over 72 Metres and Looks Toward Underground Potential
Awalé Confirms BBM's Continuity with 2.0 g/t
Gold Equivalent over 72 Metres and Looks
Toward Underground Potential
Highlights
BBM keeps delivering: Thick and consistent gold-copper mineralization highlighted by 2.0 g/t
AuEq. over 72m (OEDD-157, twin hole to OEDD-74 for metallurgy studies).
Multiple strong intervals, including 2.0 g/t AuEq. over 32m (including 7.4 g/t AuEq. over 2m) and
1.1 g/t AuEq. over 27m, reinforcing continuity.
MRE on track: BBM is emerging as the largest gold-copper discovery in West Africa with
strengthening confidence ahead of a Mineral Resource Estimate targeted for Q2 2026.
Scale continues to build with mineralization now defined over ~1.2 km of strike and to depths
exceeding 300m and now targeting 600m vertical depth.
Underground potential emerging at BBM, with high-grade core open down-plunge and 7,000m
step-down assays pending.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 23, 2026) -
Awalé Resources Limited (TSXV: ARIC)
(OTCQX: AWLRF) (FSE: 2F60)
("
Awalé
" or the "
Company
") is pleased to report new drilling results
from the first 12 holes of its resource and expansion drilling program at the BBM gold-copper discovery
within the Odienné Project ("
Odienné
" or the "
Project
") in Côte d'Ivoire. The latest assays confirm
strong grade continuity and thickness at BBM, continuing to build confidence as Awalé advances toward
its initial Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") targeted for Q2 2026. Importantly, Awalé has also
completed an 11-hole, 7,000-metre step-down program targeting the down-plunge extension of BBM's
high-grade core, designed to test underground potential to approximately 600 metres vertical depth.
Assays for this deeper program are pending (see long section and plan map in Figures 2 and 3).
Andrew Chubb, President and CEO of Awalé Resources stated, "BBM continues to deliver with
consistent grade and width and is showing the growth potential we expect from this significant gold-
copper discovery. The robust nature of mineralization gives increasing confidence in our upcoming
mineral resource estimate. In parallel with this shallow infill program, we have systematically drill-tested
the down-plunge extension of the high-grade shoot that forms the core of the BBM mineralization. This
deeper drilling has the potential to see BBM emerge as the largest gold-copper deposit in West Africa.
The shoot, or core of the BBM mineralization we have drilled, shows early indications of increasing
grade at depth, and we eagerly await results from this deeper drilling over the coming weeks."
Link to All Figures
Watch Video of CEO Andrew Chubb Discussing New Results from BBM
BBM Underground Target Drilling
An 11-hole, 7,000-metre program formed part of a step-down and resource phase of diamond drilling
designed to evaluate the underground potential of the BBM target. This phase of drilling aimed to test
continuity of the high-grade core of the BBM system down to a depth of 600 metres below surface.
If successful, further step-out drilling will be planned to test this zone to a depth of 800m below surface.
The high-grade gold, molybdenite, and copper mineralization is associated with a marked increase in
strain intensity and silica-biotite alteration along the subvertical to south-southwest contact between a
sheared granodiorite host and footwall metasediments and metavolcanics.
Results from this deeper drilling will play a key role in assessing the long-term scale and underground
potential of the BBM system. Higher-grade intervals intercepted withing this shoot are summarized in
Table 1.
Table 1: Selected Higher-Grade Intercepts from the Plunging Shoot at BBM
Hole ID
From
(m)
To
(m)
Width
(m)
Au
(g/t)
Cu
(%)
Ag
(g/t)
Mo
(ppm)
AuEq.
(80%)
Comp.
Trigger
(Au g/t)
OEDD0074
265
286
21
3.1
0.55
1.9
329
3.1
2
OEDD0074
304
315
11
3.6
0.45
1.5
349
3.4
2
OEDD0097
461
471
10
2.1
0.46
1.2
137
2.2
2
OEDD0104
326
338
12
2.8
0.84
3.8
704
3.2
2
OEDD0105
93
103
10
2.4
0.54
1.8
511
2.5
2
OEDD0119
208
223
15
3.6
0.52
1.8
479
3.4
2
OEDD0152
523
544
21
3.2
0.68
2.1
534
3.3
2
OEDD0153
657
669
12
2.2
0.43
1.8
359
2.2
2
OEDD0157
241
246
5.00
3.7
0.38
1.3
582
4.6
2
OEDD0157
261
268
7.00
2.9
0.68
1.8
383
4.1
2
OEDD0157
272
275
3.00
5.9
0.80
3.3
204
7.2
2
OEDD0157
298
308
10.00
3.9
0.48
1.3
309
4.7
2
BBM Resource Drilling
These results mark the second batch of assays from Awalé's 2026 resource development drilling across
BBM, Charger, and Empire, forming part of the Company's 100,000-metre drill campaign at Odienné.
The 12 holes reported in this release form part of a 20-hole resource drilling program designed to
support an initial mineral resource estimate for the BBM target in Q2 2026. This phase of drilling is
testing the continuity of the BBM mineralized system to a depth of 300 metres below surface and further
defining the geometry and grade distribution of the mineralized zones. Hole OEDD-157 was drilled as a
twin to previously reported OEDD-74 as part of broader metallurgical studies where several other holes
along with this twin hole were selected to give a representative sample for the study.
BBM Exploration
An initial two-hole diamond drill program has also been completed as a step-out to the northwest of the
resource drill area, with the aim of better understanding the geology and tenor of mineralization
associated with a modelled second plunging shoot.
If successful, further drilling will be planned to step down at depth and along strike to open additional
mineralization potential and near-surface opportunities within the BBM system.
About Awalé Resources
Awalé is a diligent and systematic mineral exploration company focused on discovering large high-
grade gold and copper-gold deposits. Exploration activities are currently underway in the underexplored
regions of Côte d'Ivoire, where the Company is exploring the Odienné Copper-Gold Project ("
Odienné
"
or the "
Project
"), covering 2,346 km
2
across seven permits-five granted and two applications. This
includes 797 km
2
in two permits held under the Awalé-Newmont Joint Venture ("OJV"). Awalé currently
manages all exploration activities over the OJV, with funding currently provided by Newmont Ventures
Limited ("Newmont") under an Exploration Agreement signed in May 2022.
Awalé has discovered four gold, gold-copper, and gold-copper-silver-molybdenum mineralized systems
within the OJV and has recently commenced exploration on its 100%-owned properties.
The Odienné Project is underexplored and has multiple pipeline prospects with similar geochemical
signatures to Iron Oxide Copper Gold (
IOCG
) and intrusive-related mineral systems with substantial
upside potential. The Company benefits from a skilled and well-seasoned technical team that allows it to
continue exploring in a pro-mining jurisdiction that offers significant potential for district-scale
discoveries.
Table 2: Significant Intercepts from Diamond Drilling - (from this release)
Hole ID
From
(m)
To
(m)
Width
(m)
Au
(g/t)
Cu
(%)
Ag
(g/t)
Mo
(ppm)
AuEq.
(80%)
Comp.
Trigger
(Au g/t)
OEDD0157
229
230
1.0
1.3
0.62
3.3
340
1.9
0.5
OEDD0157
238
310
72.0
1.8
0.36
1.1
266
2.0
0.2
including
238
276
38.0
2.1
0.47
1.5
376
2.4
0.5
and
241
246
5.00
3.7
0.38
1.3
582
4.6
2
Including
245
246
1.0
6.1
0.27
1.1
598
5.5
5
and
261
268
7.00
2.9
0.68
1.8
383
4.1
2
and
272
275
3.00
5.9
0.80
3.3
204
7.2
2
and
272
274
2.0
7.6
0.89
3.5
244
7.2
5
including
282
289
7.0
0.6
0.20
0.8
119
0.8
0.5
including
296
309
13.0
3.3
0.45
1.2
289
3.3
0.5
and
298
308
10.00
3.9
0.48
1.3
309
4.7
2
and
298
303
5.0
5.3
0.56
1.7
335
5.0
5
OEDD0160
287
314
27.0
0.6
0.22
0.9
190
0.8
0.2
including
289
296
7.0
1.2
0.28
1.0
276
1.4
0.5
and
308
311
3.0
0.9
0.46
3.0
589
1.6
0.5
334
340
6.0
0.3
0.32
1.0
27
0.6
0.2
351
353
2.0
0.7
0.80
2.1
59
1.5
0.2
OEDD0162
55
58
3.0
0.4
0.33
1.5
198
0.8
0.2
133
160
27.0
0.4
0.41
2.4
37
0.8
0.2
including
145
149
4.0
1.1
0.77
4.1
49
1.8
0.5
and
154
156
2.0
1.0
1.26
8.2
55
2.3
0.5
OEDD0164
198
204
6.0
0.8
0.82
1.7
125
1.6
0.2
including
198
203
5.0
0.9
0.91
1.9
136
1.8
0.5
OEDD0167
266
271
5.0
1.3
0.03
0.3
29
1.1
0.2
including
266
268
2.0
2.6
0.06
0.4
62
2.2
0.5
OEDD0168
223
231
8.0
0.9
0.28
0.7
154
1.1
0.2
including
223
229
6.0
1.0
0.34
0.8
201
1.3
0.5
290
292
2.0
1.5
0.65
1.8
66
2.0
0.5
OEDD0171
50
56
6.0
0.6
0.31
1.3
221
0.9
0.2
62
74
12.0
0.4
0.36
1.3
107
0.8
0.2
including
63
67.5
4.5
0.5
0.49
1.5
128
1.0
0.5
94.5
142
47.5
0.5
0.42
2.1
35
0.9
0.2
including
110
121
11.0
0.9
0.71
3.7
56
1.6
0.5
and
129
133
4.0
1.0
0.66
3.4
36
1.6
0.5
BBDD0002
172
174
2.0
1.8
0.36
1.8
22
1.9
0.2
including
172
173
1.0
3.4
0.62
3.0
36
3.4
0.5
224
273
49.0
0.5
0.37
1.9
36
0.9
0.2
including
230
237
7.0
0.8
0.19
0.9
12
0.8
0.5
and
241
247
6.0
0.6
0.39
1.5
16
0.9
0.5
and
251
269
18.0
0.6
0.54
3.0
58
1.1
0.5
BBDD0003
324
350
26.0
0.7
0.53
1.2
197
1.3
0.2
including
331
349
18.0
0.9
0.64
1.4
199
1.6
0.5
383
427
44.0
0.8
0.25
0.7
360
1.1
0.2
including
387
400
13.0
1.2
0.21
0.6
263
1.3
0.5
and
406
427
21.0
0.9
0.27
0.7
217
1.1
0.5
BBDD0005
164
165
1.0
2.7
1.15
5.3
207
3.5
0.5
229
256
27.0
1.0
0.18
0.8
237
1.1
0.5
BBDD0007
51
61.5
10.5
0.4
0.24
1.6
14
0.6
0.2
66
88
22.0
0.4
0.43
1.8
23
0.8
0.2
including
57.5
61.5
4.0
0.7
0.39
2.8
18
1.0
0.5
76
80
4.0
0.6
0.53
2.0
29
1.1
0.5
85
87
2.0
0.6
0.59
2.4
28
1.1
0.5
101
102
1.0
1.6
0.11
1.1
5
1.4
0.5
BBDD0012
97.5
98
0.5
13.1
2.38
9.9
32
13.1
0.5
157
168
11.0
2.2
0.12
0.9
27
1.9
0.2
including
158
165
7.0
3.3
0.17
1.3
38
2.9
0.5
and
158
159
1.0
6.2
0.18
3.3
28
5.2
5
and
160
162
2.0
5.9
0.34
2.0
62
5.1
5
280
281
1.0
1.2
0.05
0.4
3
1.0
0.5
including
285
317
32.0
1.9
0.34
1.4
180
2.0
0.5
including
288
290
2.0
7.2
0.71
4.5
149
6.6
5
and
311
313
2.0
6.6
1.09
3.8
1622
7.4
5
Table 3: BBM Drill Collar Details - (all collars from this release)
Hole ID
Easting
Northing
RL_M
EOH_M
Azimuth_True
Dip
BBDD0002
655453.4
1048191.8
425.6
308.25
28.73
-58.45
BBDD0003
655376.0
1048140.7
426.3
460.8
34.9
-55
BBDD0005
656057.9
1047843.0
419.8
296.36
34.5
-55.1
BBDD0007
655414.4
1048316.1
423.4
140.38
39.8
-52.2
BBDD0012
655671.0
1048089.5
419.6
415
24.5
-59
OEDD0157
655921.5
1047962.6
415.5
335.87
24.01
-61.72
OEDD0160
655721.2
1048437.8
415.4
395.24
213.97
-61.12
OEDD0162
655541.7
1048214.1
423.5
181
34.56
-56.23
OEDD0164
655734.1
1048326.1
417.0
266.39
214.31
-58.28
OEDD0167
655689.0
1048390.1
417.4
344.22
215.6
-59.63
OEDD0168
655775.2
1048379.6
414.8
329.16
215
-58
OEDD0171
655605.7
1048185.8
421.7
191.5
34.9
-55
Quality Control and Assurance
Analytical work for drill samples is being carried out at the independent Intertek Laboratories in Ghana
and Australia, an ISO 17025 Certified Laboratory. Samples are prepared and stored at the Company's
field camps and put into sealed bags until collected by Intertek from the Company's secure Odienné
office and transported by Intertek to their preparation laboratory in Yamoussoukro, Côte d'Ivoire, for
preparation. Samples are logged in the tracking system, weighed, dried, and pulverized to greater than
85%, passing a 75-micron screen. Two pulps are prepared from each sample with one stream to
Intertek Ghana for fire assay and a second to Australia where the sample is analyzed by 52 element
ICP/MS with a 4-Acid digest. Blanks, duplicates, and certified reference material (standards) are being
used to monitor laboratory performance during the analysis. Where visible gold is observed in drill core,
a quartz wash is applied between every sample to reduce or eliminate any contamination. Once fire
assay results are received, samples over 5 g/t gold are routinely screen fire assayed, samples lower
than 5 g/t gold continued within a high-grade interval are also screen fire assayed.
Mineralized Interval Calculations
Significant intervals reported in this news release are calculated as downhole length-weighted
intercepts. For the Charger target, initial mineralized zones are calculated at a 0.5 g/t Au trigger and
include up to 3 metres of internal waste for delineating mineralized zones. Included intervals are
calculated at 2 g/t Au, 5 g/t Au, and 10 g/t Au trigger values, with up to 3 metres of internal waste. Table 2
contains a list of all Charger holes reported in this release. True widths are estimated to be 70% of the
downhole widths. Holes not reported do not make the 0.5 g/t Au grade trigger.
Au Equivalent Calculations
Au Equivalent is calculated using the following parameters in USD: Au - 1910/Oz (Troy), Cu 3.80/lb, Mo
40,000/Tonne, and Ag 23.40/Oz (Troy). The Formula AuEq = Au (g/t) + ((Cu (ppm) * 0.00014) + (Mo
(ppm) * 0.00065) + (Ag (g/t)*0.01225)). An 80% metallurgical recovery is assumed for all metals, as the
specific recovery rates for individual metals are unclear, and assuming different recoveries would be
premature at this stage.
Qualified Person
The technical and scientific information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved
for release by Andrew Chubb, the Company's Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-
101. Mr. Chubb is the Company's Chief Executive Officer and holds an Economic Geology degree, is a
Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG), and is a Member of the Society of Economic
Geoscientists (SEG). Mr. Chubb has over 25 years of experience in international mineral exploration and
mining project evaluation.
Abbreviations Used in this Release
Ag
Silver
Au
Gold
AuEq.
Gold equivalent
Cu
Copper
g/t
Grams per tonne
km
Kilometres
m
Metres
MRE
Mineral Resource Estimate
Mo
Molybdenum
ppm
Parts per million
AWALÉ Resources Limited
On behalf of the Board of Directors
"Andrew Chubb"
Chief Executive Officer
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Andrew Chubb, CEO
(+356) 99139117
Ardem Keshishian, VP Corporate Development
+1 (416) 471-5463
The Company's public documents may be accessed at
www.sedarplus.com
. For further information on the Company, please visit our website at
www.awaleresources.com
.
Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities
laws (collectively "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are typically identified by
words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, plans, propose, potential, postulate and
similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. All statements that are
not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this
news release include but are not limited to statements regarding the Company's presence in Côte
d'Ivoire and ability to achieve results, creation of value for Company shareholders, achievements
under the Newmont JV, works on other properties, timing and extent of planned drilling, expectations
to achieve a first mineral resource estimate and preliminary economic assessment, advancing
towards a pre-feasibility study, potential for new discoveries, timing for providing assay results,
commencement of operations. Although the Company believes any forward-looking statements in this
news release are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations and assumptions in such
statements will prove to be correct. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, the results of the proposed drilling
programs, the number of drilling rigs on site, changes in the state of equity and debt markets,
fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals,
and other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, including those risks
set out in the Company's management's discussion and analysis as filed under the Company's
profile at
www.sedarplus.ca
. Forward-looking information in this news release is based on the opinions
and assumptions of management considered reasonable as of the date hereof, including that all
necessary governmental and regulatory approvals will be received as and when expected and that the
proposed drilling program will proceed as planned. Although the Company believes that the
assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are
reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information. The Company disclaims any
intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by
applicable securities laws.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the
policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this
release.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit
https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/284808