ASX-listed Turaco Gold has announced continued rapid growth in its south-eastern Côte d’Ivoire Afema project’s independent Joint Ore Reserves Committee- (Jorc-) compliant mineral resource estimate (MRE), to 115.3-million tonnes at 1.3 g/t gold for 4.65-million ounces.

The company says this latest MRE shows a sustained rate of growth, with an increase of 590 000 oz since the last update on October 30, 2025, with the addition of higher-grade ounces at the Asupiri, Herman and Anuiri deposits.

The company explains that the updated MRE reflects the inclusion of additional drilling undertaken at the Woulo Woulo, Jonction, Anuiri and Asupiri deposits, along with the declaration of a maiden MRE for the Herman deposit – located immediately adjacent to Woulo Woulo.

The MREs for the Begnopan and Toilesso deposits remain unchanged, with no drilling undertaken on those deposits since the previous MRE update.

Turaco notes that this MRE update does not include any drilling along the Niamienlessa-Affienou Trend where Turaco has announced encouraging results.

The company says the Afema prefeasibility study (PFS) is expected to include the declaration of a maiden Jorc ore reserve estimate and remains due for completion in the second quarter of this calendar year.

Beyond that, Turaco is targeting a further MRE update prior to the end of the calendar year.

“Turaco has delivered a 4.65-million-ounce Jorc resource in less than two years since acquiring Afema, highlighting the exceptional drilling success across multiple targets.

“With well over 120 000 m of drilling completed along with expansive soil geochemistry, geophysics and auger drilling, this achievement reflects the outstanding work of the Turaco technical and field teams.

“Our immediate focus is now to demonstrate the production scale and development economics of Afema through the PFS, targeted for completion in the second quarter of calendar year 2026, while continuing to grow the Afema resource base,” says Turaco MD Justin Tremain.