Oklo Resources Ltd (ASX:OKU) has received another vote of confidence in its Mali gold assets as Simon Taylor, managing director, has formalised his commitment to the company.
Taylor has been heavily involved in the development of the company’s assets since his March 2015 appointment and his new executive services agreement ensures his future with Oklo.
Leadership qualities to fully explore the portfolio's potential
Taylor is a geologist with over 25 years technical and commercial experience in project assessments,
He has been involved in numerous projects outside of Australia, including Brazil, Turkey, Uganda, Tanzania, Mali, China, UK and North America.
His analytical and technical expertise, combined with his corporate experience provides the leadership skills required to progress Oklo’s high-priority assets.
READ: Oklo Resources drill results confirm gold extends deeper at Seko discovery, shares rise
Most recently, Oklo confirmed significant primary gold mineralisation at depth through new drilling results from the Seko gold discovery within the Dandoko Project, Mali.
First assay results from diamond and reverse circulation (RC) drilling at Seko Anomaly 2 (SK2) has intersected broad zones including 45 metres at 4.38 g/t gold.
Results to date successfully outline depth extensions to the primary gold mineralisation at SK2, with results from a further three diamond holes pending.
Analysts like the story
Ryan Armstrong, research analyst at Taylor Collison is bullish on the stock.
He noted after the new discoveries south of Seko which occurred towards the end of February that there was the prospect of further upside from deeper drilling.
Taylor Collison highlighted some similarities between Seko and high profile nearby projects.
Armstrong said: “Oklo has identified a number of gold anomalies along known splay structures off the gold-prolific Senegal-Mali Shear Zone, only 30 kilometres to the east of B2Gold’s 5.15 million ounce Fekola Project.
“The geological settings are favourable and Oklo will re-rate accordingly with further drilling success at the Dandoko Gold Project.”
Corporate activity isn’t out of the question
Oklo has a strong share register featuring the likes of BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE:BLK) which has a 15.2% stake in the company.
However, one of the more interesting shareholders is Resolute Gold (ASX:RSG) with a holding of 5.4%.
Resolute is a large gold producer with its Syama Gold Project in Mali delivering 100,000 ounces of gold in the six months to December 31, 2017.
Resolute has the cash, the know-how and possibly the intent
The company is highly active in western Africa with its Bibiani gold mine in Ghana having a resource of 2.5 million ounces.
It is expected to be producing more than 100,000 ounces of gold per annum for at least 10 years from the date it comes into production.
Neither Resolute nor John Welborn, the group’s managing director, have a habit of taking minority stakes in projects, suggesting Oklo is more than just a dabble on the side.
Watch this space
As at December 2018, Resolute had cash, bullion and listed investments of about $200 million.
Welborn has extensive experience in Africa and was instrumental in the early stage identification of the prospect which went on to be developed as the Fekola Project.
Resolute recently stated that it was ''seeking value generating acquisition opportunities."