Dalaroo Metals Initiates 20,000-Metre Maiden Drilling Program at Bondoukou Gold Project in Côte d'Ivoire

Dalaroo's Phased Exploration Approach at the 7-Kilometre Gold Ridge Corridor

Dalaroo Metals has adopted a detailed, phased drilling strategy to methodically evaluate the Bondoukou Gold Ridge Prospect’s three priority targets. Operating in Côte d'Ivoire, a West African region known for gold exploration potential, the company’s approach balances cost-effectiveness and geological data acquisition. This maiden major drilling campaign follows earlier-stage work including soil geochemistry, auger drilling, geological mapping, and structural analysis.

The 7-kilometre Gold Ridge corridor hosts three main targets identified through prior exploration, with the Wilfred Target being the largest, spanning approximately 3 kilometres. Supported by anomalous gold geochemistry, favorable geological contacts, interpreted structures, and nearby artisanal workings, Wilfred is the initial focus. Concentrating drilling efforts here aims to build a comprehensive geological dataset and enhance the chance of discovering coherent mineralised zones, maximizing exploration outcomes.

Phase 1 Reverse Circulation Drilling at Wilfred Target

Phase 1 involves about 10,000 metres of reverse circulation drilling, scheduled to start in early August 2026 at Wilfred. RC drilling was chosen for its faster penetration and lower cost per metre compared to diamond drilling, enabling testing of more priority sites during this discovery phase. Drill holes will target depths of 100 to 150 metres, focusing on geological, structural, and geochemical targets beneath surface and auger gold anomalies. The exploration team is finalizing drill locations, integrating recent soil geochemistry, auger drilling, geological mapping, and structural data into the drill plan.

Objectives include testing priority soil and auger gold anomalies, investigating mineralised structures beneath transported and weathered cover, and identifying potential bedrock gold mineralisation. The program will also assess mineralisation continuity along strike and at depth, determine geological target orientation and geometry, and explore relationships between gold anomalies and favorable geological contacts. This focused Phase 1 design aims to thoroughly test the geological model and evaluate gold mineralisation potential.

Site Preparation and Early August 2026 Drilling Start

Drill pad preparation will commence next week, marking a key transition from planning to active site work for Dalaroo’s maiden major drilling campaign at Gold Ridge. The drilling contractor has completed site and access inspections to evaluate drill access, working areas, and mobilisation needs, ensuring efficient mobilisation once pad preparation is finished. The early August 2026 drilling start provides a clear timeline for investors and stakeholders tracking the project’s progress.

This pad preparation milestone is critical in Dalaroo’s exploration schedule at Bondoukou. Following completion, the RC rig will mobilise to Gold Ridge to begin drilling. The contractor’s prior site assessments support a smooth mobilisation and drilling launch. Investors are likely to monitor these preparatory activities as indicators of adherence to the planned August 2026 start.

Incorporating Phase 1 Results into Phases 2 and 3 Diamond Drilling

Phase 1 RC drilling results will be progressively integrated into Dalaroo’s geological model to optimize diamond drill hole placement in Phases 2 and 3. These subsequent phases will involve approximately 10,000 metres of diamond drilling across Wilfred, Mag, and Ali targets. Diamond drilling will provide continuous core samples for detailed geological and structural analysis, enhancing understanding of mineralisation orientation, continuity, and controls identified in Phase 1. This staged approach mitigates the risk of costly diamond drilling before target geometry is well defined.

The integration strategy maximizes each drilling phase’s effectiveness and focuses expenditure on the strongest targets. Using Phase 1 RC data to guide diamond drilling improves efficiency and the probability of intersecting economic mineralisation. This phased methodology reflects Dalaroo’s commitment to balancing exploration risk and capital efficiency by initially deploying lower-cost RC drilling to refine targets before advancing to higher-cost diamond drilling.

Rationale for Selecting RC Drilling for Initial Discovery

RC drilling was chosen for Phase 1 due to its faster drilling rate and lower cost per metre compared to diamond drilling under the ground conditions at Wilfred. This choice enables Dalaroo to test a larger number of priority targets efficiently during the initial discovery phase. RC drilling helps identify potential bedrock gold mineralisation and clarifies the orientation and geometry of target zones at a lower cost, allowing broader coverage within the drilling budget.

The staged drilling approach also reduces the risk of committing to expensive diamond drilling before target geometry is sufficiently understood. After Phase 1 completion and data evaluation, diamond drilling in Phases 2 and 3 can be precisely targeted at the most promising zones. This disciplined strategy ensures capital is directed to the most prospective areas, enhancing overall exploration effectiveness.

Wilfred Target Size and Supporting Exploration Data

Wilfred was selected as the initial drilling focus due to its extensive size, geological setting, and robust exploration evidence. As the largest of the three priority targets at Gold Ridge, Wilfred extends over about 3 kilometres and represents a significant prospect. Supporting data includes anomalous gold geochemistry, favorable geological contacts, interpreted structures, and nearby artisanal workings, indicating strong technical merit.

Nearby artisanal mining activity further supports Wilfred’s prospectivity, suggesting local geological conditions conducive to gold mineralisation. Combined with the company’s geochemical and structural data, the Wilfred Target offers a comprehensive exploration opportunity. Concentrating Phase 1 drilling here aims to develop a detailed geological dataset and increase the chances of identifying coherent mineralised zones within this large prospect.

Bondoukou Gold Project Location and Operational Context in Côte d'Ivoire

Dalaroo Metals operates the Bondoukou Gold Project in Côte d'Ivoire, a West African country with a strong mining and exploration background. The Gold Ridge Prospect drilling campaign represents Dalaroo’s first major drilling initiative in this established gold-producing jurisdiction. The presence of artisanal gold workings near Wilfred confirms gold mineralisation in the area. Dalaroo’s systematic exploration program indicates thorough due diligence and risk assessment prior to this maiden drilling investment.

Progressing from early-stage exploration activities to a 20,000-metre drilling campaign demonstrates that Dalaroo has accumulated sufficient technical data to justify major drilling expenditure. Previous work including soil geochemistry, auger drilling, geological mapping, and structural interpretation has laid the groundwork for Phase 1 drilling design. This measured progression reduces geological and technical risks ahead of significant capital deployment.

Investor Timeline and Upcoming Milestones for Dalaroo’s Exploration Program

Investors following Dalaroo’s Bondoukou exploration should watch key upcoming milestones: drill pad preparation starting next week, RC rig mobilisation, and drilling commencement in early August 2026. Phase 1 drilling results are expected to start generating data from mid-August 2026 onward. Integration of Phase 1 findings into geological models and transition to Phases 2 and 3 diamond drilling will provide further updates.

The disclosed timeline suggests significant exploration results may emerge in late 2026, with diamond drilling phases potentially beginning later that year depending on Phase 1 outcomes. The staged drilling program means exploration results will be released incrementally. Investors should monitor quarterly reports, exploration updates, and company communications detailing Phase 1 results, geological interpretations, and plans for subsequent drilling phases. Dalaroo intends to provide progressive updates as drilling advances.

Exploration Risks and Uncertainties in Dalaroo’s Gold Ridge Campaign

Despite encouraging preliminary exploration data, mineral exploration carries inherent risks and uncertainties. Soil geochemical anomalies, auger drilling results, favorable geological contacts, and artisanal workings do not guarantee that Phase 1 RC drilling will intersect economic gold mineralisation or that any discovered mineralisation will be sufficient for a mineable resource. Early-stage drilling often fails to identify significant mineralisation despite positive initial indicators. Phase 1 may not meet technical objectives such as defining coherent mineralised zones or target geometry.

Additional risks include operational challenges in mobilising and operating drilling equipment, potential delays in obtaining permits or approvals from Côte d'Ivoire authorities, and geological complexities affecting drilling outcomes. Weather, site access, and equipment availability could delay the planned early August 2026 drilling start. The staged approach relies on Phase 1 results providing clear geological guidance; ambiguous outcomes could necessitate revising subsequent drilling plans. Investors should recognize the substantial technical, operational, and financial risks inherent in early-stage mineral exploration and the uncertainty of exploration results.