Asanko GOLD Reports Positive Exploration Results
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PRESS RELEASE
ASANKO GOLD REPORTS POSITIVE EXPLORATION RESULTS
Vancouver, British Columbia, April 8, 2019 – Asanko Gold Inc. (“Asanko” or the “Company”) (TSX, NYSE
American: AKG) is pleased to announce initial drill results from the Tontokrom exploration target, part of the
Asanko Gold Mine (“AGM”) concession area in Ghana, West Africa. The AGM is a 50:50 joint venture (“JV”)
with Gold Fields Ltd (JSE, NYSE: GFI) which is managed and operated by Asanko.
Drilling Highlights - Tontokrom Target
• Hole TTPC19-001 intersected 13.0m at 2.62 grams per tonne gold from 128m
• Hole TTPC19-002 intersected 22.0m at 1.24 grams per tonne gold from 156m
• Hole TTPC19-002 intersected 39.0m at 1.82 grams per tonne gold from 189m
• Hole TTPC19-004 intersected 12.0m at 1.45 grams per tonne gold from 199m
• Hole TTPC19-006A intersected 11.8m at 1.69 grams per tonne gold from 182m
• Hole TTPC19-006A intersected 22.9m at 1.48 grams per tonne gold from 242m
• Hole TTPC19-006A intersected 16.4m at 2.38 grams per tonne gold from 280.6m
Commenting on the drilling program, Greg McCunn, Chief Executive Officer, said: “The results from the Phase
1 drilling program at Tontokrom are very encouraging, with results from six of the nine holes drilled confirming
the consistency of mineralization along the shear corridor. We believe there is a strong potential for a major
discovery at the South Camp and I’m pleased to see the commitment to exploration by our joint venture. We
will shortly commence initial drilling on our second target, Fromenda, where historical drilling by a previous
owner shows significant promise. The planned 5,000 meter program is designed to both confirm and expand
upon previous drilling.”
Exploration Strategy
The AGM JV holds a major land package of 21,300 hectares on the Asankagrawa Gold Belt. In 2017, the
Company undertook a prospectivity analysis assessing the potential of identified exploration targets based
on structural architecture, geochemistry, geological mapping and topography. An exploration strategy was
developed, in collaboration with our JV partner, to test high priority targets in order to replace mining
depletion with resources near existing mining operations and infrastructure as well as test potential new
discoveries. In 2019, the JV plans to spend US$8 million on exploration including approximately 10,000
metres of drilling as well as additional geochemistry, ground geophysics, field mapping and trenching work.
Tontokrom Target
The Tontokrom target is located on the Miradani Mining Lease, which covers an area of 14.3km2 and is
approximately 10km south of the AGM processing plant, along the northeast southwest Asankrangwa
structural corridor, which hosts all nine of the AGM’s gold deposits (Figure 1).
The area is highly prospective and the site of major historic small scale and alluvial mining operations.
Multiple historical geochemical anomalies are coincident with the target, and primary and secondary
structures known to control mineralization in the belt have been interpreted from the airborne VTEM and
magnetic surveys and extensively mapped on the ground.
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Five historic trenches with encouraging results were excavated in the Tontokrom area by Ashanti Goldfields
in the 1990’s. Despite this, the Tontokrom target has not been previously drill tested. The area has been
subjected to small scale mining activities for over 25 years, which have excavated a small pit over a portion
of the target measuring 320m long by 150m wide and is estimated to be approximately 30m deep from the
current land surface (Figure 2).
Phase 1 Drill Program – Tontokrom Target
A Phase 1 drill program was designed to test the approximately 320m strike length of the existing pit. The
3,139m program consisted of 12 holes pre-collared to various depths with reverse circulation (“RC”) drills
and completed with HQ diamond drilling (Figure 2). Due to poor ground conditions surrounding the existing
pit, drill holes were set back from the pit edge resulting in deeper holes than would normally be drilled in a
Phase 1 drilling program. Despite this, of the 12 holes completed in the program, nine were drilled to their
intended depth and three were abandoned due to poor ground conditions before reaching their intended
targets. Phase 1 drilling has now been completed with results received for six of the nine drill holes (Table 1).
Drilling results are encouraging, with economic intercepts being encountered in five of the six completed drill
holes. TTPC19-003 was drilled NE of the existing pit and did not intercept economic mineralization. Significant
intercepts encountered in TTPC19-006A, drilled furthest to the southwest, indicate that mineralization is
open along strike and will be tested in a Phase 2 drilling program at a later date.
Figure 1: The Tontokrom and Fromenda locations in relation to the AGM processing facility
and the Nkran pit
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Figure 2: Tontokrom Target showing planned and drilled hole locations for the Phase 1 drilling
program as well as the small scale mining pit (filled with water)
Table 1: Significant intercepts from the first six holes of the Phase 1 drill program*
Hole ID
From To Interval Grade Intercept
(m) (m) (m) (g/t)
TTPC19-001 128 141 13 2.62 13m @ 2.62 g/t
TTPC19-001 162 172 10 1.07 10m @ 1.07 g/t
TTPC19-002 68 85 17 1.1 17m @ 1.10 g/t
TTPC19-002 91 107 16 1.73 16m @ 1.73 g/t
TTPC19-002 149 152 3 25.53 3m @ 25.53 g/t
TTPC19-002 156 178 22 1.24 22m @ 1.24 g/t
TTPC19-002 189 228 39 1.82 39m @ 1.82 g/t
TTPC19-004 199 211 12 1.45 12m @ 1.45 g/t
TTPC19-006A 182 194 12 1.69 12m @ 1.69 g/t
TTPC19-006A 242 265 23 1.48 23m @ 1.48 g/t
TTPC19-006A 281 297 16 2.38 16m @ 2.38 g/t
*Note: For full drill intercepts and relevant sections, please see Appendix 1 of this news release.
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Fromenda Target
A second drill program has been designed to drill test the Fromenda Target, which is located approximately
10kms further southwest of the Tontokrom Target along the same highly prospective Fromenda Shear
Corridor.
The target was historically drill tested by PMI Ventures Ltd. (PMI Gold Corporation Pty Ltd.) in 2003 and 2004
producing significant exploration results (refer to Table 2) that warrant a new round of drilling. The program
is expected to drill approximately 5,000m of RC and DD focusing on confirming historic mineralization and
stepping out along strike and to depth, and will commence in Q2 2019.
Table 2: Historic key drill intercepts on the Fromenda Target*
Hole ID From To Interval Grade Intercept
(m) (m) (m) (g/t)
FNBRC007 14 23 9 13.83 9m @ 13.83 g/t
03FBRC036 0 4 4 25.30 4m @ 25.30 g/t
03FBDDH001 44 74 30 2.63 30m @ 2.63 g/t
03FBDDH007 48 62 14 5.58 14m @ 5.58 g/t
03FBDDH007 68 72 4 10.89 4m @ 10.89 g/t
03FBDDH012 6 12 6 2.29 6m @ 2.29 g/t
04FBDDH005 5 12 7 9.71 7m @ 9.71 g/t
04FBDDH007 14 23 9 8.76 9m @ 8.76 g/t
04FBDDH007 59 86 27 4.89 27m @ 4.89 g/t
FNBRC009 23 70 47 1.13 47m @ 1.13 g/t
FNBRC010 2 7 5 6.99 5m @ 6.99 g/t
03FBRC036 36 41 5 6.13 5m @ 6.13 g/t
*Note: Historical drill resulst can be found in news releases issued by PMI Gold Corp at various times in 2003
and 2004, these releases are available at www.sedar.com
QA/QC
Drill samples are being analyzed at the Intertek Laboratory in Tarkwa, Ghana by 50g fire assay. Initial
observations indicate some coarse gold component and follow up screen fire assay analysis is being
considered. Intervals are calculated using a 0.5 g/t cut-off and three metres maximum internal dilution.
Reposted widths are drilled intervals and true widths vary depending on drill orientation and are not fully
understood at this time. Assay values are uncut.
Qualified Person Statements
Benjamin Gelber (P.Geo), Group Geology Manager, is the Asanko Qualified Person, as defined by Canadian
National Instrument 43-101 (Standards of Mineral Disclosure), who has approved the preparation of the
technical contents of this news release.
Enquiries:
Alex Buck – Manager, Investor & Media Relations
Toll-Free (N.America): 1-855-246-7341
Telephone: +44 7932 740 452
Email: [email protected]
Andrew J. Ramcharan – SVP, Corporate Development & IR
Toll-Free (N.America): 1-855-246-7341
Telephone: +1 647 309 5130
Email: [email protected]
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About Asanko Gold Inc.
Asanko’s flagship project, located in Ghana, West Africa, is the jointly owned Asanko Gold Mine with Gold
Fields Ltd, which Asanko manages and operates. The Company is strongly committed to the highest standards
for environmental management, social responsibility, and health and safety for its employees and
neighbouring communities. For more information, please visit www.asanko.com.
Forward-Looking and other Cautionary Information
This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this
release, other than statements of historical facts, that address estimated resource quantities, grades and contained
metals, possible future mining, exploration and development activities, are forward-looking statements. Although the
Company believes the forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements should not
be in any way construed as guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially
from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in
forward-looking statements include market prices for metals, the conclu sions of detailed feasibility and technical
analyses, the timely renewal of key permits, lower than expected grades and quantities of resources, mining rates and
recovery rates and the lack of availability of necessary capital, which may not be available to the Company on terms
acceptable to it or at all. The Company is subject to the specific risks inherent in the mining business as well as general
economic and business conditions. For more information on the Company, investors should review the Company's Annual
Form 40-F filing with the United States Securities Commission and its home jurisdiction filings that are available at
www.sedar.com.
Neither Toronto Stock Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility
for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Cautionary Note to US Investors Regarding Mineral Reporting Standards:
Asanko has prepared its disclosure in accordance with the requirements of securities laws in effect in Canada, which
differ from the requirements of US securities laws. Terms relating to mineral resources in this press release are defined
in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects under the guidelines set
out in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum (the “CIM Council”) Standards on Mineral Resources
and Mineral Reserves (the “CIM Definition Standards”). The Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has
adopted amendments to its disclosure rules to modernize the mineral property disclosure requirements for issuers whose
securities are registered with the SEC. As a result of the adoption of the SEC Modernization Rules, SEC will now recognize
estimates of “measured mineral resources”, “indicated mineral resources” and “inferred mineral resources” that are
“substantially similar” to the corresponding terms under the CIM Definition Standards. In addition, the SEC has amended
its definitions of “proven mineral reserves” and “pro bably mineral reserves” to be “substantially similar” to the
corresponding CIM Definitions. United States investors are cautioned that while the above terms are “substantially
similar” to CIM Definitions, there is no assurance any mineral reserves or mineral resources that the Company may report
as ”proven reserves”, “probable reserves”, “measured mineral resources”, “indicated mineral resources” and “inferred
mineral resources” under NI 43-101 would be the same had the Company prepared the reserve or resource estimates
under the standards adopted under the SEC Modernization Rules.
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Appendix 1
Table 3: Collar location table for Tontokrom Phase 1 exploration drilling program
Hole ID Easting Northing RL Azimuth Dip
Depth RC Pre-collar
(m)
Total Depth
(m)
TTPC19-001 611065.81 691976.53 145.04 130 -45 111 248.7
TTPC19-002 610979.25 691931.85 144.49 130 -45 111 255
TTPC19-003 611137.33 692015.77 145.27 130 -45 66 249
TTPC19-004 610918.42 691900.85 147.29 130 -45 102 300
TTPC19-005 611210.78 691736.45 163.23 310 -45 114 360
TTPC19-005A 611212.42 691734.05 163.35 311 -45 114 422.5
TTPC19-006 611125.58 691690.12 165.93 310 -45 61 61
TTPC19-006A 611126.64 691691.45 165.85 310 -45 102 350
TTPC19-007 610930.97 691916.97 153 130 -58 102 101.5
TTPC19-008 610931.32 691919.15 146.27 130 -58 72 453.2
TTPC19-009 610976.27 691930.68 144.82 130 -61 60 366.2
TTPC19-010 611047.36 691998.69 145.35 130 -56 65.5 350
Table 4: Initial drill results from the Tontokrom Phase 1 exploration program
Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation Azimuth Dip
Depth
(m)
From
(m)
To
(m)
Length
(m)
Grade
(g/t)
Grade
Thickness
(m)
TTPC19-001 611066 691977 145.04 130 -45 248.7 87 89 2 3.22 6.44
128 141 13 2.62 34.06
Including 132 139 7 4.08 28.56
152 154 2 0.97 1.94
162 172 10 1.07 10.70
197 206 9 0.69 6.21
TTPC19-002 610979 691932 144.49 130 -45 255 68 85 17 1.1 18.70
91 107 16 1.73 27.68
114 116 2 1.76 3.52
120 122 2 1.2 2.40
149 152 3 25.53 76.59
156 178 22 1.24 27.28
189 228 39 1.82 70.98
Including 211 218 7 3.40 23.80
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Hole ID Easting Northing Elevation Azimuth Dip
Depth
(m)
From
(m)
To
(m)
Length
(m)
Grade
(g/t)
Grade
Thickness
(m)
TTPC19-004 610918 691901 147.29 130 -45 300 32 38 6 0.61 3.66
84 88 4 0.95 3.80
105 107 2 1.92 3.84
150 152 2 1.08 2.16
160 174 14 0.82 11.48
182 189 7 1.52 10.64
199 211 12 1.45 17.40
TTPC19-005 611211 691736 163.23 310 -45 360 229 231 2 1.04 2.08
TTPC19-
005A 611212 691734 163.35 311 -45 422.5 294 296.5 2.5 0.99 2.48
307 309.3 2.3 0.81 1.86
312.73 321 8.27 1.12 9.26
342 345 3 1.27 3.81
TTPC19-
006A 611127 691691 165.85 310 -45 350 17 19 2 0.56 1.12
36 39 3 1.67 5.01
182 193.8 11.8 1.69 19.94
201 203 2 0.82 1.64
242 264.9 22.9 1.48 33.89
270.6 275 4.4 9.24 40.66
280.6 297 16.4 2.38 39.03
Including 293.5 294.5 1 19.09 19.09
305.1 309.3 4.2 1.7 7.14
315 319.1 4.1 2.19 8.98
Notes:
Intervals calculated with a 0,5 g/t cut-off and three metres maximum internal dilution
True widths vary depending on drill orientation
UTMs are WGS84 - Zone 30N
All grades are uncut
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Figure 3: Plan Section of TTPC19-006A
Figure 4: Plan Section of TTPC19-002, TTPC19-005, TTPC19-005A and TTPC19-009