Resolute Mining Expands ABC Gold Resource 31% to 3.02 Moz After 31,000m Drill Push
Resolute’s ABC gold project resource climbs past 3.0 Moz after 31,000m drilling campaign
Resolute Mining (ASX/LSE: RSG) has expanded the Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate at its 100%-owned ABC Project in northwest Côte d’Ivoire to 3.02 Moz. The updated resource comprises 133 Mt at 0.71 g/t Au (0.3 g/t cut-off, US$3,250/oz pit shell), up from a prior 2.16 Moz Inferred resource. ABC is positioned as Resolute’s fourth mine in West Africa and second in Côte d’Ivoire, with a funded $15-25 million next-phase programme through to feasibility and mining application by end of 2027.
Inside the expanded resource: what the numbers show
The updated Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate is anchored by two deposits — Kona South and Kona Central — both trending north-northwest and dipping steeply west. Together, they define a 2.5-2.6km strike length with mineralisation extending up to 400m down dip. Majority of the resource sits within 250m of surface, and both deposits remain open along strike and at depth, signalling further growth upside.
| Prospect | Mt | Grade (g/t Au) | Moz Au |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kona Central | 64.6 | 0.62 | 1.29 |
| Kona South | 68.1 | 0.79 | 1.72 |
| Total | 132.7 | 0.71 | 3.02 |
How this compares to before
At a 0.5 g/t cut-off (unconstrained basis), the resource grew approximately 31% from 2.16 Moz (2021) to 2.83 Moz (2026). The 3.02 Moz figure reported above applies the constrained 0.3 g/t cut-off and US$3,250/oz pit shell optimisation. These two metrics are distinct: the 31% growth comparison uses the unconstrained resource at 0.5 g/t; the headline 3.02 Moz uses the constrained resource at 0.3 g/t.
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Understanding the resource: why “Inferred” and open deposits matter to investors
The ABC resource is classified as Inferred Mineral Resource under the JORC Code 2012. Inferred is the lowest confidence category, reflecting drilling density and geological continuity sufficient to define tonnage and grade, but insufficient for mine planning or reserve declaration. The next category — Indicated — requires tighter drill spacing and higher geological confidence. Converting Inferred to Indicated is a key de-risking milestone that moves a project toward feasibility and construction decisions.
“Open along strike and at depth” means the orebody has not been fully closed off by drilling. Additional metres drilled beyond the current resource limits are likely to add ounces. The US$3,250/oz pit shell constrains the resource to material that is economically pit-minable at that gold price, using realistic cost assumptions for open-pit truck-and-excavator mining.
The significance for investors: conversion to Indicated category is the critical path item. Once achieved, the resource can underpin ore reserves, feasibility studies, and financing decisions. ABC’s current Inferred status reflects early-stage resource definition; the planned 80,000m infill programme is designed to bridge that gap.
Drilling momentum: seven rigs now, eleven by August
Resolute has completed over 31,000m of drilling since acquiring ABC in 2025, with 149 holes drilled at Kona in 2026 alone (124 RC holes for 23,473m; 25 diamond holes for 7,645m). There are currently 7 rigs on site, scaling to 11 rigs in August. The new 80,000m infill programme is underway, targeted for completion by end of 2026.
Standout intersections
Recent drilling returned strong continuity and grade:
- KNRC0540: 9m @ 4.99 g/t Au from 19m
- KNRC0525: 53m @ 0.96 g/t Au from 86m
- KNRC0554: 66m @ 1.17 g/t Au from 165m
- KNRD0632: 24m @ 1.54 g/t Au from 236m
The Moya prospect, located 8km north of Kona Central, represents a new growth target. Exploration drilling identified economic mineralisation, including KNRC0461: 5m @ 4.23 g/t Au from 3m. Moya provides an additional source of future resource growth outside the current Kona deposits.
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The path to becoming mine number four
Resolute is an African-focused gold miner with over 30 years of experience and 9 Moz produced from ten mines. The company operates Syama (Mali) and Mako (Senegal), with Doropo (Côte d’Ivoire) under development. ABC is positioned as the fourth operating mine and second in Côte d’Ivoire, furthering Resolute’s strategy of building a diversified, multi-asset gold platform.
Chris Eger, Managing Director and CEO
“ABC continues to advance as a priority growth project for Resolute in Côte d’Ivoire. Since acquiring the asset last year, we have built strong momentum through exploration with the updated MRE representing a key milestone in the Project’s development pathway.
The updated MRE shows the potential scale of ABC. Importantly, mineralisation remains open along strike and at depth at both deposits, and we see clear opportunities for further resource growth through ongoing drilling.
Our focus has now shifted to the next phase of project de-risking and progressing feasibility studies. This will be achieved from the approved work programme which will include further drilling, metallurgical testwork, environmental and social baseline studies, permitting, geotechnical and infrastructure work.
ABC is being advanced with the objective of becoming Resolute’s fourth mine in West Africa and our second mine in Côte d’Ivoire. We believe ABC can be an important contributor to our strategy of building a diversified, multi-asset gold platform.”
What the $15-25 million buys
The next-phase work programme runs 12-18 months, targeting feasibility studies and mining application by end of 2027. Key workstreams include:
- 80,000m+ infill drilling to convert Inferred Mineral Resources to the Indicated category
- Metallurgical testwork (comminution, gravity, leach, recovery, variability testing across Kona Central and Kona South)
- Environmental & Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and permitting, including baseline studies, stakeholder engagement, land access planning
- Geotechnical, hydrogeological and infrastructure work, including camp upgrades (accommodation, communications, core handling, sample preparation, power, water)
The programme is designed to advance ABC through feasibility and position the project for a construction decision. Resolute’s multi-asset platform thesis centres on geographic diversification across West Africa, with ABC as a key pillar alongside existing operations in Mali, Senegal, and the Doropo development in Côte d’Ivoire.
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