Firefinch (ASX:FFX) grows Viper deposit in Mali

• Firefinch (FFX) unveils its latest Viper deposit assays from the Morila Gold Project in Mali
• Results include six metres at 11.34 grams per tonne gold from 74 metres, which contained a two-metre section at 29.2 grams per tonne gold
• The company confirms the high-grade shoots at Viper have a strike length of at least 100 metres and extend 75 metres down dip
• Firefinch is incorporating the new results into the site’s resource estimate and life-of-mine plan
• Ahead of market open, Firefinch last traded at 39 cents per share

Firefinch (FFX) has dropped its latest batch of assays from the Viper deposit, building on promising results earlier this year.

The company is hoping the deposit — found within its Morila Gold Project in Mali — can provide early mill feed during the site’s operational ramp up.

Following up on a first round of drilling back in February, a further 7000 metres have been drilled at Viper across 53 holes.

Notable results include six metres at 11.34 grams per tonne gold from 74 metres, which contained a higher grade two-metre section at 29.2 grams per tonne gold.

With the results in hand, the company has confirmed the high-grade shoots previously hit in the pit bed stretch across at least 100 metres of strike and extend some 75 metres down dip, remaining open at depth.

More broadly, the company said the results “suggest Viper can potentially make a more significant contribution to the near- term mining schedule than previously thought”.

Looking forward, Firefinch is incorporating the new results into the site’s resource estimate and life-of-mine plan, and further drilling is in the works at Viper to test mineralisation down-dip and down-plunge.

Early mining works are also underway, with a mining contractor scheduled to start in the coming weeks.

Firefinch’s Managing Director, Dr Michael Anderson, called the results “outstanding”.

“The scale of the mineralised system at Viper continues to grow with each drillhole. The delineation of surface mineralisation in the southern part of the deposit will provide another source of early oxide feed as we ramp up the Morila plant.

“The high-grade zones under the pit also suggest that Viper can potentially make a more significant contribution to our near-term mining schedule. During my recent visit to site, we discussed and agreed plans to expedite the commencement of mining at Viper.”

Ahead of market open, Firefinch last traded at 39 cents per share.