The company has reported an indicated resource of 18.9 million tonnes grading 1.09 grams per tonne of gold containing 665,000 ounces, and 26Mt grading 1.06g/t containing 883,000oz in the inferred category. Reunion said 42% of the contained gold was hosted in laterite/colluvium and in the saprolite weathering domains.

"The new resource estimate … provides a solid foundation for future work on the project. The main objectives of this work will be to increase the soft rock resource and improve the overall grade of the deposit. We also intend to focus on expanding the resource by further exploring and drill testing 11 other targets that have been identified on the Dorlin project," said president and CEO Réjean Gourde in a statement.

The resource estimate used a cut-off grade of 0.40g/ for colluvium/laterite, 0.53g/t for the saprolite and 0.63g/t for fresh rock.

Nivré had an historical 1998 indicated resource estimate of 779,000oz at 1.1g/t and 792,700oz at 1.1g/t inferred.

Nivré has been the focus of exploration drilling at the Dorlin project, with 91% of drilling to date occurring there. The company has 11 other targets requiring further exploration and drill testing. Reunion has an option to acquire 75% of Dorlin.

Following the 2018 exploration programme, Reunion has a greater understanding of mineralisation controls and the best exploration approach. It has confirmed the efficiency of the induced polarization geophysical method in detection of gold-bearing silica-tourmaline-pyrite facies at Nivré. It plans to run additional IP surveys for 60km lines to test all remaining gold-in-soil targets during the second quarter followed by a 4,000m drill programme to test these targets later this year.

Dorlin does not form part of the strategic alliance agreement Reunion recently entered into with Barrick Gold. An investor rights agreement between the companies sees Barrick have a right of first refusal if Reunion offers Dorlin for sale.