Resolute Mining Limited has announced an initial Mineral Resource Estimate for its Bantaco Project in Senegal, located just 20km east of its Mako Gold Mine. The estimate covers the Bantaco West and Bantaco South prospects, which together contain approximately 266,000 ounces of gold at a 0.5g/t cut-off grade. Specifically, Bantaco West is estimated at 5.8 million tonnes averaging 0.97g/t for about 179,000 ounces, while Bantaco South is estimated at 2.2 million tonnes averaging 1.2g/t for roughly 87,000 ounces of contained gold. The company highlighted that most of the resource is located within the top 100m, supporting the potential for low-cost open pit mining. The announcement details extensive drilling programs carried out throughout 2025, involving approximately 8,000 meters of diamond drilling and over 64,000 meters of RC drilling. Significant drilling intersections at both prospects have demonstrated strong gold grades, with some intercepts showing notably high values across varying widths. The geological interpretation outlines that Bantaco West is hosted in volcanic and metasedimentary units with mineralisation associated with pyrite and quartz veins, while Bantaco South features a sedimentary sequence with hydrothermal sandstone breccia and vein-controlled mineralisation. Both prospects remain open along strike and at depth, with further drilling planned to convert Inferred resources to the higher Indicated category and to extend the resource envelope. Resolute Mining Limited is positioning the Bantaco Project as a key component in extending the life of its Mako operations. With the combined Mineral Resource Estimates for Bantaco and the nearby Tomboronkoto project totaling more than 600,000 ounces of gold, the company envisions another five to 10 years of mining activity in Senegal. Development is anticipated to move forward in the second half of 2027, following planned follow-up drilling, an updated resource estimate in early 2026, and the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Certificate expected by mid-2026. Bullish sentiment centers on the strategic advantage of the Bantaco Project, with its proximity to existing infrastructure and established stakeholder relationships in Senegal. The additional gold resource could extend production life at Mako, potentially adding years of steady output and enhancing the company’s operational resilience and economic value. Furthermore, the possibility of converting Inferred resources to a higher classification and the favorable geological setting support a positive outlook for future expansion. Bearish sentiment, however, stems from the current classification of the resource entirely as Inferred due to wide drill spacing and the need for more infill drilling to increase confidence in the estimates. Regulatory and permitting timelines, as well as uncertainties inherent in early-stage exploration projects, add elements of risk. Investors are advised to consider these factors when evaluating the near-term prospects alongside the longer-term growth potential.