The Gibi Project is an advanced-stage iron ore exploration project in Bong County, Liberia, about 89km east-northeast of Monrovia. The deposit is a magnetite-dominated Banded Iron Formation (BIF), referred to as itabirite, likely formed in a restricted marine basin setting. The client’s strategy is to fast-track production by initially focusing on a smaller target area within the larger 448km² exploration licence. The Ridge 1–4 iron ore deposits at Zezia Hills extend ± 4km north–south within a 1.7 km-wide zone and average ± 40m in depth.
SRK South African undertook the following:
- Reviewed and provided Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for exploration work, including drilling, core orientation, recovery, and handling, storage, cutting, sampling, QA/QC, pXRF, and Archimedes density determination.
- Assisted and monitored drilling and sampling programmes.
- Examined the nature and extents of the iron formation outcrops and designed an independent QA/QC programme, which was implemented and reported.
- Conducted two site visits to the project (Phases 1 & 2) to monitor SOP implementation and assess geological and structural controls on the distribution of iron ore mineralisation.
Phase 1 exploration (2023 period) included geological mapping, rock-chip sampling, and diamond drilling (DD) by Cestos Drilling Company. Fifty-two holes (3,030m) were drilled mainly along strike at ± 200m spacing, with limited dip drilling. A total of 490 density measurements were collected. Three ore types were identified: BIF, Supergene BIF, and Massive Magnetite Iron Formation.
Phase 2 exploration (2024) involved mapping and airborne magnetic and radiometric surveys by New Resolution Geophysics, processed and modelled by Southern Geoscience Consultants to identify targets. Subsequent DD and sampling, conducted by drilling companies, Energold and Cestos, tested the Zezia Ridge 1–4 target areas. Drill holes were spaced 50m along strike and 40m down dip to define mineralisation continuity. A total of 153 holes (4,295 m) were drilled, with 841 density measurements collected. Drilling confirmed canga, haematite, and magnetite mineralisation. A drone LiDAR topographic survey covered Ridges 1–4 target areas.
Phase 3 exploration is currently in progress with a total of 4,000m drilling and sampling planned. SRK is assisting with drillhole planning and daily monitoring as West 26 advances resource expansion.
SRK estimated grade and tonnage ranges for the Zezia Hills target area and issued a JORC compliant Exploration Target in November 2023. Subsequently, SRK completed a NI 43-101 compliant Mineral Resource Estimate for the Ridge 1–4 deposits iron ore deposits, effective in 2025.
