Bitam (formerly Minvoul/Bitam) is an early-stage exploration project in the Archean North Gabon Massif in north Gabon. The project comprises the Bitam (G9-590, 1,463km2) and Ntem (G9-485, 1,156km2) exploration licences covering a total area of 2,619km2, and is located in the north-west of Gabon. The new exploration licence, Ntem was granted to the Company during the September 2022 quarter and covers an area of 1,156km2, which largely encompasses the land area covered by the Minvoul exploration licence, which expired during that period.
The Ntem exploration licence enables Genmin to explore for iron ore, gold, copper, silver and related metals, which is consistent with the contiguous Bitam licence.
Prior to Genmin's involvement at Bitam, very limited geological information was available for the project. The Company has completed the following exploration activities since 2015:
- several extensive reconnaissance mapping and surface sampling campaigns, and
- a high resolution magnetic and radiometric airborne survey comprising 25,842 line-km.
Geological mapping, and high resolution airborne and ground geophysical surveys conducted by Genmin indicated approximately 317km of iron mineralisation strike at Bitam.
Regional shear zones and granitoid intrusives identified at Bitam by Genmin and historic government mapping are favourable settings for copper-gold mineralisation.
The Company’s proposed work program at Bitam aims to better define and prioritise iron drill targets, and to assess copper-gold prospectivity. The proposed work program includes:
- follow-up project mapping and sampling of selected iron targets; and
- reconnaissance mapping and sampling in geological zones prospective for gold copper mineralisation.