Australia's Aviva Corporation has encountered high grade gold deposits from the company's ongoing prospecting activities in Western Kenya.

The Perth based company identified gold prospects at Bushiangala and Kimingini on the back of another recent drilling exercise at Bumbo, where it encountered base metals like copper, zinc and silver.

Managing director Lindsay Reed said Bushiangala and Kimingini areas have potential to deliver gold deposits capable of sustaining a central mill.

He said six holes drilled in Bushiangala and two holes sunk in Kimingini revealed the areas have a potential of 13.05 grammes per tonne (g/t) of gold from 5.96 metres and 10.23g/t from 156.13 metres respectively.

Results of Bushiangala's six holes were 3.36 g/t of gold from 95.64 metres, 3.96g/t of gold from 48.6m, 7.77g/t of gold from 96.97m, 1.68g/t of gold from 56.76m and 13.05g/t gold from 5.96m.

Kimingini area had positive results as two holes encountered 5.31g/t of gold from 227.64 m and 10.23g/t of gold from 156.13m respectively showing existences of minerals.

At the Kakamega and Bumbo areas, reverse circulation drilling of gold and base metal targets are in progress – with assays from 25 holes pending.

Aviva's Bumbo base metals project recently encountered high grade copper, zinc and silver in the initial drilling exercise. The minerals were found at least five metres from the surface.

Aviva is also actively prospecting for minerals at Bukura and Shitole near Kakamega.

Aviva in July 2010 signed with AfriOre International a joint venture agreement for project covering 2,888 kilometres.