Avanti Gold Corp. (CSE: AGC, FSE: X370, OTCQB: AVTGF) reports progress in preparations for the 2026 exploration program on the Misisi Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Canadian gold explorer is currently having approximately 2,100 meters of historical drill core from the Akyanga deposit analyzed and is about to conclude a contract with a drilling service provider. The expanded drilling program totaling 42,000 meters is scheduled to begin in the first quarter.
Analysis of old drill cores provides the basis for new planning
The drill cores originate from work carried out before 2018 and have not yet been examined. Following the completion of the export permits, the samples were taken to the SGS laboratory in Mwanza (Tanzania) in mid-January 2026, where they are currently being tested for their gold content. Results are expected in the current quarter.
Avanti Gold intends to use the analyses to confirm the continuity of high-grade gold mineralization in the Akyanga deposit, particularly in the northern and southern zones. The results should also help to specifically adapt the 2026 drilling program.
The Akyanga deposit forms the center of the Misisi project and, according to NI 43-101, contains an indicated resource of 40.8 million tonnes with 2.37 g/t gold – around 3.11 million ounces. The historical drill cores represent approximately ten percent of previous work and cover the key zones that have expansion potential.
Scope of the 2026 drilling program increased to 42,000 meters
Following successful tenders and site visits, Avanti Gold plans to sign the drilling contract shortly. The exploration program for 2026 has been expanded from an initial 15,000 to 42,000 meters of drilling and is divided into two phases.
- Phase 1 (March–July 2026) comprises approximately 15,000 meters, financed by the private placement completed in October 2025. It focuses on the Akyanga and Akyanga East deposits to further test the resource expansion.
- Phase 2 (August–December 2026) comprises approximately 27,000 meters and is intended to develop additional targets such as Ngalula, Tulonge, Lubitchako and Kilombwe.
During Phase 1, geological mapping and soil sampling are also underway to prepare the subsequent drilling locations.
Strategic progress in the Misisi area
The Misisi project is located in the southeast of the DR Congo along the Kibara gold belt, a region with numerous high-grade deposits. Avanti Gold holds three contiguous 30-year mining licenses there covering a total of 133 square kilometers. In addition to Akyanga, several other structures exhibit geophysical and geochemical anomalies, which are now also the focus.
In collaboration with Minecon Resources and Services Ltd., the company is re-evaluating existing data from trenches, soil samples and magnetic surveys to prioritize ongoing exploration.
Next steps in the coming weeks
For the next few weeks, Avanti Gold is planning several operational steps: signing the drilling and laboratory contracts, expanding the exploration camp in Misisi, and filling key management positions in the areas of security, logistics, exploration and community relations.
As soon as the analysis results of the historical drill cores are available, the company intends to use them to fine-tune the first drilling phase. The fully funded 2026 exploration program forms the core of further work to expand the resource base of Akyanga and the surrounding target areas.
