Ariana Steps Up Dokwe Exploration as Drilling Points to Resource Expansion

Key Takeaways

• Phase 2 diamond drilling starts late March 2026.
• RC program yielded 4 m @16.90 g/t gold.
• Mineralisation may extend 150 m beyond current resource.
• Current resource: 1.1 Moz at 1.52 g/t.
• Zimbabwe gold exports hit $5 bn in 2025.

Summary

Ariana Resources will commence Phase 2 diamond drilling at its Dokwe North gold project in Zimbabwe in late March 2026, following a successful reverse‑circulation program that returned high‑grade intercepts and suggested the mineralised system extends beyond the current resource envelope. The RC campaign covered 5,659 metres across 31 holes, highlighting notable results such as 4 metres grading 16.90 g/t gold and two 10‑metre intervals above 4 g/t. Diamond drilling will deliver higher‑resolution geological data to refine the structural model and support a potential JORC resource update. The existing resource stands at 1.1 million ounces at an average grade of 1.52 g/t.

Pulse Analysis

Ariana Resources’ decision to launch Phase 2 diamond drilling at the Dokwe North project marks a pivotal step beyond its recent reverse‑circulation (RC) campaign. 90 g/t gold and two 10‑metre intervals above 4 g/t. By switching to diamond cores, Ariana will obtain higher‑resolution geological data, allowing a more precise structural model of the shear‑zone host and testing the hypothesis that mineralisation extends up to 150 metres beyond the existing JORC envelope.

7 tonnes. The country’s greenstone belts and the Zimbabwe Craton are globally recognised for their gold endowment, drawing interest from multinational explorers seeking to capitalize on strong bullion prices driven by central‑bank buying and geopolitical uncertainty. Ariana’s Dokwe North project sits within this fertile corridor, and any confirmed resource expansion could contribute materially to national output, potentially nudging annual production toward the projected 50‑tonne threshold. For investors, the upcoming diamond drill program offers a clear catalyst.

1 Moz base and improving project economics. Moreover, an enlarged resource could accelerate the timeline toward feasibility studies and eventual mine construction, positioning Dokwe as a flagship African gold development. Compared with peer projects in West Africa, Ariana’s disciplined exploration approach and the strategic timing of its drill campaign enhance its attractiveness in a market hungry for new, scalable gold assets.