Fortuna Mining Corp. (NYSE: FSM | TSX: FVI) has reported encouraging results from its ongoing underground exploration program at the Sunbird Deposit, part of the Séguéla Mine in Côte d’Ivoire. The latest drilling campaign has successfully extended high-grade mineralization at depth and delineated a second underground shoot, reinforcing the potential for resource growth and long-term mine life extension.
A total of 40 drill holes, comprising 15,088 meters, have been completed as part of the underground resource confidence infill and extension program. This initiative is designed to both upgrade resource confidence to support underground mining studies and to test the down-plunge continuity of mineralization, extending up to 400 meters southward.
Paul Weedon, Senior Vice President of Exploration at Fortuna, commented, “Drilling at Sunbird has been very successful in expanding the underground potential, with the deepest holes to date intersecting multiple high grade intervals, including 5.2 g/t Au over an estimated true width of 6.3 meters from 787 meters in drill hole SGRD2460. This result extends the central mineralized zone a further 150 meters down plunge, where it remains open.” Mr. Weedon continued, “Drilling has also been very successful in extending the lower shoot a further 200 meters down plunge, with highlights including 6.0 g/t over an estimated true width of 11.9 meters in drill hole SGRD2461 from 669 meters, the deepest hole completed on this shoot to date, where it also remains open.”
“With over 1.5 kilometers of high grade strike now defined below Sunbird, we have initiated an underground study while five drill rigs continue to advance drilling aimed at expanding the mineralized envelope and testing its full extent.”
Drilling continues to return robust intercepts from the main shoot, which now extends over 1.3 kilometers down plunge and approximately 700 meters below surface. Notable results include:
- 5.2 g/t Au over 6.3 meters (true width) from 787 meters depth
- 5.4 g/t Au over 4.9 meters (true width) from 802 meters depth
(Drill hole SGRD2460)
In addition, recent drilling has confirmed the emergence of a second high-grade shoot, with intercepts such as:
- 6.0 g/t Au over 11.9 meters (true width) from 669 meters
- 13.3 g/t Au over 3.5 meters (true width) from 786 meters
(Drill holes SGRD2461 and SGRD2467)
This second shoot extends at least 900 meters down plunge from the pit base and remains open at depth and along strike, underscoring the deposit’s growth potential.
Drilling is set to continue through the end of 2025, with further results expected to inform underground development strategies and resource updates.
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