VANCOUVER, BC , Oct. 25, 2022 /CNW/ - Awalé Resources Limited (" A walé " or the " Company ") (TSXV: ARIC) is pleased to provide the following update on ongoing exploration activities at the Odienné gold-copper project in Côte d'Ivoire (Figures 1 and 2). The Odienné Project is subject to an earn in joint venture agreement ("JV") with Newmont Ventures Limited ("Newmont").

New soil and termitaria sampling at the BBM Prospect (Figure 3), which is located approximately 13 km northeast of the Sceptre target, has delineated a 3.5km long > 50ppm (80 th percentile) copper ("Cu") anomaly with a 2km >104ppm Cu core (98 th percentile). The BBM copper anomaly has been defined through pXRF analyses and is also associated with elevated values of both molybdenum and arsenic. The BBM prospect sits adjacent and parallel to an interpreted belt-basin margin which is a typical setting for gold mineralization in west Africa .

These latest results are indicative of a fourth significant copper target at the Odienné JV with similarities to the nearby Sceptre , Charger and Lando targets (Figure 2). Total cumulative strike length of these four Cu-Au anomalies now exceeds 13km. Both Sceptre and Charger are gold anomalous, with recent drilling at Charger returning high grade gold intercepts along with significant Cu values (see Company News Release dated 16 th August 2022). The Company announced the commencement of ground geophysical surveys over the Sceptre and Charger anomalies on Oct 13 th , 2022.

The current work program is being funded by Newmont as part of an earn-in JV agreement through which Newmont retains the option to earn-in to a minimum 65% interest, from Awalé, in the Odienné project inreturn for the sole funding of USD 15M in exploration (see Company News Release dated May 31, 2022 ). Awalé is the project manager for the initial 3-year phase.

View Attached Figures: https://www.awaleresources.com/_resources/images/2022-10-24-BBm-Figs-Final.pdf

Company CEO Glen Parsons commented today:

"The BBM target is yet another new and exciting Iron Oxide Copper Gold ("ICOG") target with encouraging copper grades and we await the gold and multi-element ICP results. The footprint and geochemistry of the BBM prospect is consistent with the Sceptre , Charger and Lando targets and the proposed IOCG setting at Odienné. Furthermore, the proximity to an interpreted major basin margin structure is also favourable.

These new results from the BBM target in concert with the previously announced Lando, Sceptre , Charger targets and Empire discovery confirm the significant scale of the mineralized system at Odienne. This success is directly attributable to the team's sound and systematic exploration approach.

To date the Odienne JV has discovered orogenic gold mineralization in the Empire Corridor, and four distinct large copper plus gold targets. The real potential and scale of Awalé's Odienne district focus and first mover advantage is only just being recognized (refer Figure 5).

We are rapidly approaching the impending drill program at the Sceptre and Charger targets in early December, which will commence once results from our ground geophysical surveys are received.

We continue to focus on both new target potential and the existing target pipeline to meet the JV objectives, as per our agreement with Newmont and we look forward to further positive results."

*Notes:

A Handheld InnovX Vanta X-Ray Fluorescence Analyzer or pXRF was used for the analysis reported in this release. pXRF analysis is considered indicative of metal grades. All samples reported air dried and sieved to -80 mesh before analysis.
The BBM Prospect

The BBM ('Belt Basin Margin') prospect has a significant size and tenor copper geochemical footprint, like Sceptre or Lando. The mineralization sits close to a high strain contact to the east which is interpreted by company geologists to be a major domain boundary between volcanics and volcaniclastic rocks to the east and deep-water sedimentary rocks to the west. Belt/Basin margins are considered highly prospective in west Africa with several large gold camps located along and close to these boundaries. Approximately 500 samples collected from this pXRF anomaly have been sent for 52 element ICP and gold analysis. Results are expected in 4 to 6 weeks. Based on observed geology and setting, both the Lando and BBM prospects are expected to be gold anomalous along with the anomalous copper geochemistry reported in this release.

Further to this, a 6km extension to the BBM anomaly is now held by the Company through the recently
acquired Sienso permit from Turaco ( see company news release dated July 19 th 2022). The Sienso permit has broad spaced - c.1km soil sample lines covering the permit area which were completed by Resolute in 2020 and 2021 (Figure 4).

Next Steps

The company is working toward finalizing a drilling program in late Q4. The recently commenced Induced Polarization ('IP') ground geophysics – consisting of targeted surveys (gradient array and pole dipole sections) at both Charger and Sceptre are considered a final phase of work necessary to complete drill planning and targeting. The surveys are expected to be complete in the next fortnight and results to follow soon after. Upon completion the IP will contribute to planning of scout drilling in December. At the BBM prospect the Company awaits ICP/MS multielement analysis in the next 4 to 6 weeks