TSX-V-Iisted Desert Gold Ventures says development activities are advancing at its Barani East site gravity plant and associated site infrastructure within the company’s 100%-owned Senegal Mali Shear Zone (SMSZ) gold project, in western Mali.

These development activities are transitioning from initial mobilisation into active enabling works.

During this period, the company completed broad-scale site clearing, surveying, initial foundation excavation and ancillary infrastructure preparation, which it says significantly improved overall site readiness ahead of plant delivery.

A total footprint of about 52 000 m² has been cleared across key operational areas, including the process plant site, workshop and stockpile zones.

Survey control has been established, and initial foundation excavation has started, positioning the site for construction activities upon arrival of the processing equipment.

Supporting works, including perimeter fencing, access control infrastructure and fabrication of ancillary steel components, are also progressing.

“Site preparations at Barani East are progressing well. With the gravity plant now on its way to the port in Dakar, the company is closer than ever to achieving our goal of gold production. I look forward to providing the market with additional guidance as major milestones are achieved,” says CEO Jared Scharf.

Water supply development continues to advance as a critical parallel workstream.

The company commissioned AGR-Consulting to complete a geophysical targeting programme using electromagnetic profiling and conductivity contrast interpretation across 15 survey lines.

The programme identified 13 priority borehole targets, exceeding initial expectations.

Drilling of the first borehole is currently under way, with favourable hydrogeological conditions interpreted between 60 m and 90 m depth.

Under the terms of the supply agreement, technical acceptance of the company’s 200 t/d gravity processing plant, including a six-month inventory of spare parts and a 650 kVA generator set, was completed in China between March 25 and April 3.

The inspection was conducted by a joint team of Desert Gold representatives and independent engineers, confirming that equipment meets contractual specifications and is approved for shipment.

Six containers carrying the gravity plant and generator have been shipped from the Shekou and Qingdao ports as of April 26.

Delivery to the Port of Dakar is expected by mid-June, with site delivery anticipated by late June, subject to standard logistics and customs clearance.

Commissioning of the plant is currently targeted for mid-July.

While minor adjustments to the shipping route were required, overall project timelines remain aligned with planned development milestones, Desert Gold points out.

The Barani plant forms part of the company’s staged development strategy at the SMSZ project.

As outlined in the updated preliminary economic assessment announced in November 2025, the company is pursuing a modular oxide development scenario at Barani and Gourbassi using a gravity and carbon-in-leach processing flowsheet.

The study demonstrated an after-tax net present value (10%) of $61-million and an after-tax internal rate of return of 57% at a base case gold price of $2 850/oz.

The conceptual development plan contemplates operational flexibility to incorporate additional near-mine oxide material as exploration advances.

Desert Gold says it believes the progress achieved to date at Barani reduces execution risk associated with plant installation and supports advancement toward the next phase of development.