Stellar AfricaGold Inc. (TSXV: SPX) has released its quarterly exploration update for the period ended September 30, 2026, disclosing that its 10,000-metre auger drilling program at the Zuénoula Gold Project in Côte d'Ivoire commenced on schedule but was subsequently suspended following concerns raised by local villagers. The company states that expanded community engagement is now underway with a broad group of local stakeholders. Meanwhile, infill soil sampling continues across the 395.78-square-kilometre Zuénoula permit to further define gold anomalies and prioritise drill targets.

Key Points

  • Stellar AfricaGold Inc. (TSXV: SPX) — Canadian precious metals exploration company focused on North and West Africa
  • The 10,000-metre auger drilling program at the Zuénoula Gold Project commenced on schedule but was suspended pending broader community engagement
  • Six priority drill targets confirmed across the Fifty-Five, Central, and South East prospects; earn-in partner MetalsGrove can earn up to 80% by incurring US$6,000,000 in exploration expenditures
  • Shareholders will be notified when auger drilling resumes, per the release

Six Priority Drill Targets Confirmed at Zuénoula Permit

Exploration at Stellar's Zuénoula permit (PR-750) confirmed six priority drill targets across three principal prospects — Fifty-Five, Central, and South East — based on ongoing interpretation of soil geochemical data. The release states that infill soil sampling and auger drilling had been progressively refining these targets before advancing to Air Core, Reverse Circulation, and Diamond Drilling programs. Project operator MetalsGrove CDI Pty Ltd, the Ivorian subsidiary of MetalsGrove Mining Limited, has been conducting activities in central Côte d'Ivoire under the Stellar-MetalsGrove joint venture arrangement.

Auger Drilling Suspension and Community Engagement at the Zuénoula Site

The 10,000-metre auger drilling program was suspended after concerns were raised by local villagers, the release states. In response, MetalsGrove expanded its engagement beyond local government officials and village chiefs to include a diverse group of community representatives and interest groups. The company has hired a full-time experienced Ivorian community liaison officer to support these ongoing efforts. The engagement is focused on clarifying the limited environmental and land-use impacts of early-stage mineral exploration and distinguishing authorised activities from unregulated artisanal mining operations in the region.

Joint Venture Structure and Earn-In Terms at Zuénoula

The Zuénoula Gold Project is structured as a joint venture between Stellar's Ivorian subsidiary Aucrest SARL and MetalsGrove CDI Pty Ltd. Under the earn-in agreement, MetalsGrove may acquire up to a 50% interest by incurring US$3,000,000 in exploration expenditures and up to an 80% interest by incurring a total of US$6,000,000. Stellar also holds the Tichka Est Gold Project in Morocco, where a 5,000-metre diamond drilling program is separately scheduled for fall and winter 2026. The technical content of this quarterly update was reviewed and approved by Qualified Person Lijun Yang, Managing Director of MetalsGrove Mining Limited and a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists.