Tolu Minerals Completes 65 km² Precision LiDAR Survey to Guide Drilling at Tolukuma

Precision Mapping Breakthrough at Tolukuma

Tolu Minerals Limited has taken a significant step forward in its exploration efforts at the Tolukuma gold project in Papua New Guinea by completing a high-resolution airborne LiDAR survey. This survey, boasting sub-10 centimetre vertical accuracy, represents a technological leap in how the company maps its mineral-rich terrain beneath dense rainforest canopy.

The survey covered an extensive 65 square kilometres, capturing detailed topographic and imagery data using a Teledyne Galaxy LiDAR sensor paired with a Vexcel UltraCam Eagle imaging system. Mounted on a fixed-wing aircraft, this integrated technology delivers a Digital Terrain Model with unprecedented precision, allowing Tolu to peer through the thick vegetation and gain a clear understanding of the underlying geological structures.

Strategic Implications for Drilling and Development

According to Chris Muller, Tolu’s Managing Director and CEO, the new dataset is instrumental in refining drill hole locations aimed at expanding the near-mine resource base. The precision of the LiDAR data, when combined with Tolu’s MobileMT geophysical survey results, enhances the accuracy of geological models and identifies high-priority drill targets with remarkable clarity. This dual approach is expected to accelerate the discovery of additional gold-bearing quartz veins within the Tolukuma corridor.

Beyond exploration, the survey’s detailed topographic insights are critical for infrastructure planning. This means Tolu is not only advancing its resource definition but also laying the groundwork for efficient mine development, potentially reducing future operational risks and costs.

Positioning for Growth and Value Creation

The completion of this LiDAR survey signals Tolu Minerals’ commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to unlock value at Tolukuma. With a major near-mine drilling program on the horizon, the company is well-positioned to translate these geospatial advancements into tangible resource growth. Investors and stakeholders can anticipate updates on drilling results that will test the promising targets identified through this survey.

While the announcement does not provide immediate financial metrics or timelines for drilling outcomes, the integration of high-precision topographic data with geophysical insights marks a pivotal moment in Tolu’s exploration strategy. The success of this approach could significantly influence the project’s valuation and development trajectory in the coming quarters.