Massive gold reserves were found in a remote region of South America

A recent discovery in an unexplored area of the Guiana Shield, in southeastern Suriname, has shaken the foundations of international mining exploration.

The find, made by Canadian company Founders Metals Inc., revealed an impressive 22.5-meter intersection with a gold grade of 11.88 grams per ton (g/t) in the Maria Geralda region. This area had never been drilled until this spring. This result not only far exceeds the industry’s high-grade standards for gold mining but also opens new possibilities for Suriname’s economic development and the global extractive industry.

Drilling was conducted over an anomalous surface measuring 400 by 500 meters, where more than half of the core samples already showed gold concentrations above 0.1 g/t. While early signs were promising, the scale of the discovery surprised even the geologists on site.

The extracted core revealed free gold alongside pyrrhotite, a sulfide mineral that explains the magnetic anomalies detected in earlier surveys. This combination not only confirms significant mineralization but also validates structural models predicting stress rotation around rigid intrusions.

The discovery is located about five kilometers from the Lower Antino camp, along a northwest-trending fault where tonalite dikes intersect metavolcanic units. These intersections created fractures that were later filled with quartz- and gold-rich fluids.

Mining and Oil Drive Suriname’s Economy

The economic impact of this discovery could be substantial. In Suriname, mining and oil account for nearly 60% of GDP and 90% of export revenue. A new high-grade gold deposit promises not only increased income but also the potential to improve infrastructure in remote regions. However, Suriname’s dense rainforest and heavy rainfall—exceeding 4,000 mm annually—pose logistical challenges and demand careful planning.

Colin Padget, President and CEO of Founders Metals, commented:

“While weather has limited access to other exploration targets recently, we’re pleased to maintain easy access to Maria Geralda and follow up on early surface results. This excellent start to drilling at Maria Geralda further validates our exploration approach across the 200 km² Antino property. The 22.5-meter interval at 11.88 g/t Au is one of the highest-grade mineralizations we’ve encountered to date.”

More Drilling Planned

“These results highlight the significant discovery potential beyond currently established zones on the property,” Padget added. “Between this find, recent expansions at Upper and Lower Antino, and our ongoing 2025 exploration program, we see a major opportunity to create value for shareholders.”

Founders Metals plans to conduct systematic follow-up drilling to define the extent of the mineralization along strike and at depth. The Maria Geralda discovery represents an exceptional geological opportunity for Suriname.

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