PERTH – Skylark Minerals Limited (ASX: SKM) announced Tuesday it has agreed to acquire a portfolio of advanced gold assets in Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa, a move that establishes the company as an emerging gold explorer in the region.
The acquisition, secured for a total consideration of approximately A$6.0 million, is centered on the Zaranou Project, which hosts a JORC-compliant Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate of 364,600 ounces of gold.
Executive Chair Nikolai Zelenski said the deal “ticks every box” in the company’s disciplined investment model. “It delivers scale, quality, and immediate growth potential in one of the most attractive and stable gold jurisdictions in West Africa,” Zelenski stated in the announcement.
The Zaranou Project, located about three hours from the capital Abidjan, covers 287 square kilometers and features a defined resource based on only a fraction of its 47-kilometer prospective strike length. Historical drilling has intersected high-grade, near-surface gold mineralization, with the resource remaining open for expansion along strike and at depth.
The broader portfolio also includes the 100%-owned Maphai Project, currently under application, and an option to acquire up to 100% of the Vavoua Project, which lies near the operating Abujar Gold Mine.
Skylark intends to fund the acquisition and initial exploration costs using its existing cash reserves of approximately A$6.68 million. The company is targeting its first phase of drilling on the new projects in January 2026.
Côte d’Ivoire has become a significant gold producer, with output projected to reach 62 tonnes in 2025. The country is recognized for its modern Mining Code and well-developed infrastructure, attracting major international mining companies.