TG Metals plans drilling at Van Uden gold
TG Metals is preparing to launch a 689-hole shallow aircore drilling campaign at its Van Uden gold project in Western Australia, targeting laterite extensions that could increase the life of a proposed heap-leach operation. The current laterite mineral resource estimate stands at 1.053Mt at 0.52g/t Au for 17,700oz of contained gold.
The drilling program, which is expected to run for 21 to 28 days, aims to define additional laterite resource tonnes and increase the scale and mine life of the proposed heap-leach operation. The aircore holes will average about six metres deep and will test the full depth of the laterite.
According to local reports, the program targets gold mineralisation identified by a recent 213-hole auger drill program across a footprint similar in size to the area hosting the existing laterite resource. CEO David Selfe said this phase of drilling is aimed at substantially increasing the laterite resource and expanding the life of the proposed heap-leach operation.
The proposed Van Uden flowsheet involves mining, crushing, agglomeration, stacking, and leaching to activated carbon. Column-leach testwork on the laterite returned gold recoveries of more than 90%. The company is also considering sending gold-loaded carbon off-site for stripping rather than building an on-site gold room from day one.
TG Metals notes that combining on-site heap leach processing with off-site ore purchase agreements for the bulk of the defined resource, will enable the company to realise the full potential of the Van Uden gold project whilst deploying low capital expenditure development.
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The drilling program comes as TG Metals finalises a scoping study intended to set out the financial metrics of the proposed Van Uden heap-leach operation.
TG Metals will also advance finalisation of a definitive ore purchase and profit-sharing agreement as well as the scoping study for the heap-leach operation. They will carry out further flora and fauna studies to advance the heap-leach project.
This article was developed in collaboration with TG Metals, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.
This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.
