TG Metals (ASX:TG6) has been granted approval for drilling at the Van Uden Gold Project in Western Australia, focusing on laterite targets outside the existing mineral resource estimate (MRE).
The approved program of works includes an auger drilling campaign to test extensions of the surface laterite gold resource outlined in the MRE.
According to TG Metals, the laterite resources at the project are“well suited” to onsite heap leaching, proven by a quick return of gold recoveries in testwork and ‘exceptional’ physical characteristics.
Surface deposits require no pre-stripping and minimal handling, and a potential onsite facility means no transport costs. This results in low mining costs, coupled with the low upfront capital and operating costs associated with heap leach processing.
CEO David Selfe says soil sampling has previously shown “potential to double the current laterite resource”.
“Now we are testing that potential with drilling,” Selfe says.
“Auger drilling is a quick and effective method of testing surface mineralisation whilst providing relatively undisturbed samples for metallurgical testing in addition to analytical.
“The physical characteristics of mineralisation are an important consideration in heap leaching applications.
“The outcome of this program is likely to provide considerable upside to the existing heap leach study work which is well advanced. Independent heap leach and mining consultants have been engaged to fast-track this development.”
The company is focused on sourcing the plant and equipment for heap leaching, as well as finalising the site infrastructure plan.
The Van Uden MRE has 56% in the indicated category, with a total of 7.93 million tonnes @ 1.06 grams per tonne gold for 270,800 ounces.
TG Metals is a Western Australian exploration and development company focused on the advancement of the Lake Johnson and Van Uden Projects.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: TG Metals
