Results from the eastern side of the formerly hugely bountiful mine in Mali included 5m at 30.3 grams per tonne from 294m and 1.15m at 31.2gpt from 174m.

Firefinch said the previous interpretation of this side of the pit was mineralisation had been offset by a major shear zone.

While the true width of the mineralisation is not yet confirmed, Firefinch intimated the drilling undertaken was potentially relatively perpendicular.

Follow up drilling to infill and extend is ongoing, with four rigs operating at Morila over the Christmas and New Year period.

Pre-stripping activities at the so-called Morila Super Pit will start next quarter as Firefinch aims to ramp up in production to levels above 100,000 ounces of gold in 2022.

Earlier this month Firefinch capitalised on strong interested in the lithium space by completing a A$100 million placement.

Firefinch shareholders are to receive an in-specie distribution of shares in upcoming ASX-listed lithium offshoot Leo Lithium.

Firefinch will also retain up to 20% of Leo, which will be the 50% owner of the Goulamina lithium project in Mali owned with Chinese company Ganfeng.

Goulamina is posited as a major lithium spodumene hardrock development scheduled to come on line in 2023.

Shares in Firefinch were down 1% to 67.5c in early trade, capitalising the company $693 million.

The stock was at 14c 12 months ago, while the raising priced new shares at 67 each.