TG Metals (ASX:TG6) has returned a ‘high-grade’ maiden resource estimate for the Burmeister spodumene lithium deposit within the Lake Johnston Project in Western Australia.
Burmeister now has a resource of 6.7 million tonnes (Mt) @ 1.2% lithium oxide (Li2O), which TG Metals says makes the deposit materially suitable for the direct shipping ore (DSO) market.
The company has also defined a pit exploration target for the deposit, marked as 11–14.5Mt @ 0.9–1.2% Li2O.
TG Metals says the exploration target illustrates “significant resource growth potential” for the deposit.
The company will target this exploration target with resource definition drilling in Q3 2026.
CEO David Selfe describes the resource estimate as an “excellent” maiden result that will provide a foundation for initial development at the deposit.
“The current resource has been defined with a focus on potential DSO material to support early development,” Selfe says.
“At a grade of approximately 1.2% Li2O, before ore sorting, Burmeister is considered to be well within current DSO specifications for comparable deposits in Western Australia.
“Burmeister is well-suited to an initial DSO operation, with a low strip-ratio and low levels of deleterious elements supported by its distinctive spodumene-dominant mineralogy.”
Using simple ore-sorting processing methods, there is potential for Burmeister to produce 1.5% Li2O DSO spodumene product. This was tested and confirmed in metallurgical test work programs.
TG Metals has submitted a mining lease application for the Burmeister deposit. The company will conduct core drilling to provide DSO samples for potential offtakers once the mining lease has been returned.
“Lake Johnston is strategically located and within trucking distance to the Port of Esperance,” Selfe adds.
“We continue to engage with interested third parties to progress Burmeister towards first production.
“Important early workstreams are also advancing, including the mining lease application and water exploration activities required to support future development.
“The TG Metals team is confident that further infill drilling can convert the current exploration target into additional mineral resources.”
Along with the Esperance Port, the Lake Johnston Project is strategically located in proximity to three operating lithium mines.
TG Metals says the Burmeister deposit is the “largest known lithium (spodumene) deposit within the belt”.
Earlier this month, TG Metals secured firm commitments to raise $2.5 million through a placement. Funding will advance the company’s Van Uden and Lake Johnston projects.
TG Metals is a Perth-based dual-commodity explorer focused on gold and lithium development in Western Australia.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: TG Metals
