Canadian Avanti Gold Corp. (CSE: AGC; Germany: X370) reports significant progress in its preparations for the start of exploration at its Misisi Gold Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Following a change in leadership, significantly increased funding, and a comprehensive on-site mission, the company is working towards commencing an approximately 15,000-meter drilling program in the first quarter of 2026. According to Avanti, the Misisi Project hosts an inferred resource of 3.1 million ounces of gold at an average of 2.37 g/t gold, compliant with Canadian standards, and includes several already defined target zones across a total license area of 133 km².
Avanti Gold: New Leadership, Fresh Capital, and On-Site Discussions
As of September 30, 2025, Avanti Gold had appointed a new management team and subsequently completed a private placement of CAD 25 million, which, in our view, clearly demonstrates the market’s strong interest in the company and its project. Building on this, the company is now focusing on resuming exploration activities at the Misisi Gold Project in eastern DRC.
In recent weeks, management completed an extensive trip to the Central African country. Stops included Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, Kalemie, and the project area around Misisi. According to the company, discussions were held there with government officials, local authorities, traditional leaders, suppliers, and representatives of the surrounding communities. The goal was to clarify the framework conditions for logistics, security, permits, and cooperation with the neighboring communities.
A key political signal was the meeting with the Minister of Mines, Louis Watum Kabamba. During this meeting, Avanti Gold officially introduced the new management and explained the plans for resuming work at Misisi. The company reports constructive discussions and a positive reception of the plans by the authorities.
Concurrently, three work streams are underway: Firstly, tenders for drilling and laboratory services are being reviewed and negotiated, with the aim of finalizing contracts between the end of the fourth quarter of 2025 and the beginning of the first quarter of 2026. Secondly, Avanti Gold is establishing domestic supply chains, security concepts, and structures for community engagement. Thirdly, historical drilling and sample data are being re-evaluated as part of a desktop review to optimize the Phase 1 drilling program.
Misisi Gold Project: Kalemie Logistics Hub and Infrastructure Under Development
Avanti has designated the city of Kalemie on Lake Tanganyika as the main logistics base for the Misisi Gold Project. Kalemie is located approximately 180 kilometers south of the project area and, from the company’s perspective, offers the best combination of air, road, and water access.
The Kalemie airport has a 2.5-kilometer paved runway, accommodating cargo and passenger aircraft. From here, connections to Kinshasa and Lubumbashi are possible, as well as charter flights, including to the Lulimba airstrip, located approximately 12 kilometers north of Misisi. Additionally, National Road N5 connects Kalemie to the project area via an approximately 180-kilometer route; according to Avanti Gold, rehabilitation measures are currently underway along the route, partly supported by neighboring companies.
The port of Kalemie on Lake Tanganyika offers additional capacity. According to the company, over 1,000 tons of cargo can be handled there, with regular shipping connections from Tanzania and Zambia. This provides the Misisi Gold Project with multiple transport routes for heavy equipment, drilling rigs, containers, and supplies.
In the immediate project vicinity, the company assessed the condition of the Misisi camp, core sheds, and access roads. The camp site is described as generally functional; drill cores are cataloged, and the infrastructure is now to be gradually repaired and expanded with the help of local contractors. Local companies are already working on repairing roads around Misisi and between the camp, Lulimba airstrip, and Kalemie.
According to Avanti Gold, water for drilling and camp operations is available from boreholes and surface water. The region is not connected to the national power grid, so power supply is currently provided by generators. At the same time, the company refers to ongoing energy projects in the region, including a hydroelectric power plant near Bendera, approximately 45 kilometers south of the project.
The issue of security was also addressed during the on-site mission. Avanti Gold reports initial assessments of the security situation in the Kalemie–Misisi–Lulimba corridor, involving national and local security service providers. Specialized consultants and personnel are to support the security planning for the start of exploration, with the company stating its intention to work closely with local communities.
Avanti Gold’s Resource Base and Exploration Plans at Misisi
The Misisi Gold Project is located approximately 180 kilometers north of Kalemie in the Kibara Gold Belt and comprises three contiguous, 30-year mining licenses covering an area of 133 km². Avanti Gold holds a 73.5% interest, another 21.5% is held by MMG Limited, and the state holds a 5% free-carry interest.
Central to the current project basis is the Akyanga deposit, which, according to an NI 43-101 compliant resource estimate dated June 30, 2023, contains approximately 40.8 million tonnes with a gold grade of 2.37 g/t gold in the “Inferred” category (inferred resource), equivalent to 3.11 million ounces of gold. The resource was derived from approximately 20,000 meters of drilling and has been modeled to a depth of approximately 350 meters and over a strike length of 2.1 kilometers.
Geologically, the area is characterized by metasedimentary rocks with intrusions; the mineralization of the Akyanga deposit follows north-south trending deformation zones and remains open at depth below the conceptual pit shell based on a gold price of US$1,500 per ounce. According to Avanti Gold, metallurgical test work indicates good recoveries with conventional processing methods.
For the planned Phase 1 exploration, the company has outlined a drilling program totaling 15,000 meters. Approximately 4,500 meters are designated for the expansion of the Akyanga deposit, with additional meters to be allocated to nearby targets such as Akyanga East and Ngalula. The latter is a previously untested target with extensive gold-in-soil anomalies and a structural corridor up to 600 meters wide. Additionally, the Tulonge, Lubitchako, and Kilombwe targets, which were previously identified in earlier programs through drilling and trenching, are to be re-tested.
In parallel with technical planning, Avanti Gold is working on a community relations concept for the Misisi area. The company emphasizes the importance of a phased re-entry into the region, regular communication with communities and traditional leadership, and the involvement of local stakeholders in project development. A dedicated Community Relations Manager is to be appointed at a later date.
According to Avanti Gold, the next milestones include the signing of drilling and laboratory contracts, the expansion of camp capacities in Misisi, the appointment of additional key personnel on site, and the evaluation of approximately 2,100 meters of historical drill cores. Based on this, Misisi is then to be further developed from 2026 with the planned drilling campaign. Avanti shareholders can therefore look forward to the company reporting further progress from its promising gold project soon.
