TG Metals (ASX:TG6) expects to release a Scoping Study for a heap leach operation at its Van Uden Gold Project within the next two to four weeks.
The study has identified an initial two-year production schedule targeting 486,250 tonnes at 0.7 grams per tonne gold (Au) for 10,920 ounces of Au.
According to TG Metals, this represents a higher grade portion of the total laterite resource of 1.053 million tonnes (Mt) at 0.57g/t Au for 17,700 ounces of Au.
Preliminary pit design and scheduling work indicates the higher grade material could be prioritised in an initial mining schedule based on a nominal 250,000 tonnes per annum heap leach capacity.
The company notes an early ‘high grade’ production profile, coupled with strong gold recoveries, could support a ‘robust’ project commissioning and enhance project economics.
The study also indicates a near-term, low capex and low opex pathway to material gold production, fuelled by leaching recoveries exceeding 90% in short leach times.
CEO David Selfe says the study continues to deliver ‘excellent’ results.
“Current work [is] focused on assessing whether a higher grade portion of the larger laterite resource could be prioritised in an initial scheduling scenario, which would increase gold production in the early stages of the operation and therefore further enhance the project economics,” Selfe says.
The Van Uden gold mineral resource estimate totals 7.935Mt at 1.06g/t Au for 270,800 ounces, with 56% in the indicated category.
TG Metals expects auger laterite drilling results in July, alongside assays from diamond core drilling.
Meanwhile, metallurgical test work, engineering design, equipment procurement, and financing discussions are underway.
The company is also seeking approvals for reverse circulation drilling along strike north and south of the Van Uden resource area.
TG Metals is focused on developing gold and lithium assets at its wholly owned Lake Johnston Lithium Project and 80%-owned Van Uden Gold Project in Western Australia.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Images: TG Metals
