Tabakoroni Touring

The last couple of days I've been out and about touring around the Tabakoroni area (south of Syama, closer to the Côte d'Ivoire border) with the exploration team - our boss Mike has been over from Perth to touch base and give us a bit of an idea about what's in store over the coming months. Boy does it feel weird to be looking at rocks again after such a long break!


Syama Exploration Team - Part I

In the photo above, from left to right, you can see Simeon, Kevin, Marcus and Mike - the other members of the team were variously at Tabakoroni, on congé, or at home relaxing for Africa Day (or behind the lens).

In any case, getting out and about in the country side is a bit of a welcome change after months locked away in my cubicle at the College - and there are some pretty cool sights to be seen in southern Mali, including the ...


Local transport

... or you can head over to the gold rush at Alhamdoulay in a slightly larger vehicle ...


Mishap on the bridge

... and hope that you can get moving again soon.

Once you find a likely looking spot at the artisnal workings ...


Entry point

... you might strike it lucky if you have the right tools at hand.


Any gold there Simmo?

And after a hard day prospecting, you can pop back into camp to share lunch with friends.


Ali and Moussa relaxing at lunch

Practice your Marcus impersonations ...


Still working on the open-mouthed grin

... and if you are very very lucky, you might meet Mariam bearing gifts on the way back to Syama ...


Mariam with Mali Mangoes!

... and see the ladies of Fourou on their way home.


Mango bounty in Fourou