Dubai International Financial Center- (DIFC-) based investment and operating group Raminvest Holding has announced the next phase of its gold exploration programme at the Wompou gold project, in Mauritania, where sampling returned assay values of up to 50.14 g/t gold.

Six priority targets, designated T-01 to T-06, have been defined for first-pass drill testing.

Wompou covers 446 km² in the Mauritanides Belt and is held through the group's subsidiary in Mauritania under exploration permit 2265B2.

The company explains that the statistical work identified a strong arsenic-gold correlation, supporting the use of arsenic as a pathfinder element in target definition. The programme is designed to test the continuity, geometry, grade distribution and potential scale of the mineralised system.

Raminvest Holding says the next stage is expected to include field verification, detailed geological and geochemical work and targeted drilling, subject to the required technical and regulatory approvals, before advancing toward resource definition and development studies.

The group intends to report further results as the programme progresses.

"Assay results of up to 50.14 g/t gold and six defined targets give us a sound basis to move Wompou into drilling.

"Together with our rare earth elements (REEs) and niobium position at Tabatanet, this strengthens the role we believe Mauritania can play in the global critical minerals supply chain, and the value we can create with its communities,” said Raminvest Holding chairperson Reda Rami.

Meanwhile, Raminvest Holding is also advancing the Tabatanet project through its subsidiary BARAKA Mines. Covering 496 km², the project gives the group exposure to REEs and niobium, minerals used in advanced manufacturing, high-performance materials, aerospace and electronics.

Raminvest Holding says it has built its position in Mauritania over several years by identifying, acquiring and consolidating prospective ground.

Together, Wompou and Tabatanet form Raminvest Holding's diversified Mauritania platform across gold and critical minerals.

The group is now preparing a phase focused on targeted drilling, resource development, strategic partnerships and project financing.