[spacer height=”20px”]Balandougou exploration between 2009 and 2013

Since 2009, over US$6,000,000 of exploration, including 17,516 meters of Reverse Circulation and 3,104 metres of core drilling, at the Balandougou  Gold Project confirmed more than 2,000 linear metres of gold mineralization on three separate zones of the Solotomo’s structural system. The Solotomo Discovery was named after a field of artisanal excavations so extensive that it had been nick-named locally the Solotomo Artisinal Mine.

Exploration began in 2009 with reconnaissance prospecting, rock sampling and an inventory of artisan mining locations which lead to the initial gold discoveries at B3 Zone, B1 Zone and the Solotomo artisanal mine site.

The initial discovery was confirmed by wide-space regional geochemistry which was followed up with Stellar followed up with detailed infill geochemistry in 2010.

Wide spaced geochemistry at Balandougou

Detailed grid geochemistry at Balandougou

The Company then used a mechanized excavator to trench areas of interest across the Solotomo, B1 andB3 zones. During 2011 1,400 metres of trenches were cut at 100 metre intervals to a depth of more than 3 metres were dug by mechanized excavator  Trenches ST-1 and CQ-1 respectively on zones B3 and B1 reported gold grades of 2.55 g/t Au over 25 metres width and 1.68 g/t Au over 90 metres width. An analysis and structural interpretation of zones B3 and B1 was completed by Dr. Pierre Trudel (2011, AECOM,).

During 2012 an airborne magnetic and radiometric survey with flight lines at 100 metres interval was conducted over the permit area.

During the period 2009 through 2012 Stellar drilled 17,516 meters of Reverse Circulation and 3,104 metres of core which confirmed more than 2,000 linear metres of gold mineralization on three separate zones of the Solotomo structural system. After the 2012 drill program was completed a compilation report and recommendation was prepared was Dr. Pierre Trudel (2013, AECOM).

Significant gold intersections from the RC drill programs are as follows:

Significant gold intersections from RC drill programs at B3 Zone

Significant gold intersections from RC drill programs at B1 Zone

Significant gold intersections from RC drill programs at Solotomo Artisanal Pit area

By April 2013, Stellar advanced the Solotomo B3 and B1 zones of the Balandougou Gold Project to the pre-feasibility stage. Independent consulting firm AECOM, completed a systematic compilation and interpretation of the Balandougou exploration work completed and delivered its report corroborating the existence of two significant mineralized bodies, specifically the B3 and B1 gold zones. According to AECOM, these two structures represent the best opportunity to initiate gold production with a view to generating positive cash flows that would facilitate exploration on other previously identified high-priority targets on the property.

Additionally, an aerial magnetic and radiometric survey of the greater Balandougou region identified other areas of interest and permit applications for those expansion areas are in preparation. These expansion areas host numerous new targets for future exploration (for detailed information on historical drilling results, see the section titled ‘Gold Projects’).

NOTE: In July 2014 safety concerns due to the outbreak of Ebola in the region restricted international travel and effectively halted mineral exploration activity in Guinea. Although the public health crisis delayed exploration at the Balandougou Gold Project, international health organizations declared Guinea clear of Ebola  at the end of 2015 clearing the way for exploration companies to resume work. Many foreign companies operating in Guinea, including Stellar, continue to observe ‘best practice’ Ebola prevention protocols as an abundance of caution.