Exploration at Pedra Branca spans multiple campaigns from 1980s discovery through to the current Phase III program. The consolidated database includes 253 drill holes (90 diamond and 163 RC) totaling 15,517m of drilling, plus 650 surface trenches (56,892m of trenching), across 9 NI 43-101 targets (part of 13 identified anomalies). Drilling and trenching are distinct sampling categories and are not combined.
The Maiden Inferred Resource of 180,000 oz Au (4.0 Mt @ 1.38 g/t, 0.40 g/t cut-off) was defined from only 3 of the 13 targets, drilled to an average depth of just 99m. Metallurgical testing confirms 92–98% gold recovery via conventional CIL processing, with 63.8% gravity-recoverable gold.
Best Drill Intercepts (GE21 Verified)
| Target |
Hole |
Type |
Width |
Au g/t |
G×W |
| Queimadas | FCC002 | DDH | 20.5m | 4.69 | 96.1 |
| Queimadas | FCC016 | DDH | 3.0m | 14.61 | 43.8 |
| Igrejinha | TIG044 | TR | 6.4m | 19.18 | 122.8 |
| Igrejinha | TIG043 | TR | 7.0m | 10.29 | 72.0 |
| Mirador | FMC008 | DDH | 5.1m | 9.35 | 47.2 |
| Mirador | FMC005 | DDH | 3.9m | 11.90 | 45.8 |
| Mir Coelho | PBTR013 | TR | 3.1m | 18.85 | 57.5 |
| Barra Nova | PBTR047 | TR | 3.0m | 32.63 | 97.9 |
Mineral Resource Statement (NI 43-101, March 2021)
| Target |
Category |
Tonnes (Kt) |
Grade (g/t Au) |
Au (koz) |
| Queimadas | Inferred | 3,189 | 1.24 | 128 |
| Mirador | Inferred | 638 | 1.97 | 40 |
| Igrejinha | Inferred | 215 | 1.73 | 12 |
| TOTAL | Inferred | 4,042 | 1.38 | 180 |
Cut-off grade: 0.40 g/t Au. QP: Rodrigo Mello, FAusIMM (RBM Consultoria). Effective date: March 16, 2021. Inferred resources have insufficient confidence for economic evaluation. View all SAO filings on SEDAR+.
Preliminary Metallurgy
| Metric |
Result |
Source |
| CIL Gold Recovery |
97.7% (Coelho); 92.6% (Queimadas 2022) |
NI 43-101 (2021); SAG Metallurgical Testing (Nov 2022) |
| Gravity Gold Recovery |
63.8% (Falcon Concentrator, Queimadas) |
SAG Metallurgical Testing (Nov 2022) |
| Ore Type |
Fresh, sulfide-bearing (pyrrhotite-dominant, free-milling) |
NI 43-101 (2021); Phase III Exploration Data Study |
| Arsenic Risk |
Negligible (arsenopyrite trace, non-refractory) |
NI 43-101 (2021); Sulfide Mineralogy Assessment |
Source: NI 43-101 Technical Report (March 16, 2021, QP: Rodrigo Mello, FAusIMM) and SAG Metallurgical Testing Program (2022)
Phase III Exploration Program — Mobilization April 2026
On April 14, 2026, the Company announced commencement of mobilization for its fully funded Phase III diamond drill program at Pedra Branca. The 5,000-metre program will conduct diamond drilling across three priority targets over approximately 8 months, with two drill rigs deployed commencing late April 2026.
Program scope includes:
- 5,000 metres of diamond drilling (HQ/NQ oriented core) targeting depth extensions and expansions at Queimadas, Mirador, and Igrejinha
- Two simultaneous drill rigs: Queimadas (deep testing below current 201m maximum), Mirador and Igrejinha (depth extensions and southwest expansion)
- Induced Polarization (IP) geophysical survey: Approximately 14 line-km at Queimadas, mapping sulfide-bearing zones at depth along strike and dip
- Core re-sampling of historical diamond drill holes: Fire assay gold and 33-element ICP-MS geochemistry on three priority targets
- First assay results expected in Q2 2026 with regular exploration updates throughout the program
Funding: The program is valued at approximately C$3.0 million and is fully funded from the C$4.2 million private placement closed March 13, 2026. A concurrent $500,000 debt settlement via 10 million shares at the placement price was also completed at close.
Queimadas is the main host of the 180,000 ounces gold Inferred Mineral Resource (NI 43-101, March 2021, 4.0 Mt @ 1.38 g/t Au, 0.40 g/t cutoff), with previous drilling returning persistent gold mineralization to 201m (FCC019). Mirador and Igrejinha, together holding resource material, have not yet been extensively tested at depth.
The Phase III exploration program is conducted under the supervision of Marcelo Antonio Batelochi, P.Geo., MAusIMM (CP), Senior VP Exploration, who is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101-1F2. Matt Rees, P.Geo., a former senior geologist with IAMGOLD, serves as Technical Advisor to the project.