Meeka Metals Hits 600ktpa Nameplate Throughput With Ore Sorter to Double Head Grade
Key Takeaways
- Meeka Metals' processing plant is now consistently operating at its 600ktpa nameplate throughput target, with an annualised rate of 630ktpa recorded in August 2026.
- Ore sorter commissioning is scheduled to begin in early October 2026, supported by approximately 50,000 tonnes of Andy Well underground development ore already stockpiled and ready.
- The ore sorter is expected to approximately double the head grade of Andy Well underground ore entering the mill, materially improving gold recovered per tonne processed.
- By rejecting lower-grade material ahead of the mill, the ore sorter is expected to lift effective run-of-mine treatment capacity from 600ktpa to up to 800ktpa through the same plant.
- Ore from the Turnberry underground mine is expected to commence in the September 2026 quarter, adding a second ore source into the circuit alongside the ore sorter uplift.
Processing plant hits 600ktpa nameplate throughput as ore sorter commissioning looms
Meeka Metals (ASX: MEK) has confirmed its processing plant is now consistently operating at its targeted throughput rate of approximately 600,000 tonnes per annum (ktpa), with an annualised rate of 630ktpa recorded in August 2026. The next milestone is already in sight, with ore sorter commissioning expected to commence in early October 2026.
Managing Director Tim Davidson
“While it has taken longer than anticipated to achieve the 600ktpa throughput, it is pleasing that the processing plant is now consistently operating at this level. The team is now finalising installation work for the ore sorter and will then begin commissioning in early October 2026 using the significant volume of development ore currently stockpiled in front of the sorter.”
The plant maintained consistent throughput at approximately 600ktpa across both July and August 2026. Supporting ore sorter commissioning, approximately 50,000 tonnes (50kt) of Andy Well underground development ore is already stockpiled and ready.
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How Meeka got here — debottlenecking the plant step by step
Reaching nameplate capacity was not the result of a single capital-intensive intervention. The team lifted throughput through systematic, incremental engineering improvements targeting specific bottlenecks across the plant:
- Crushing circuit improvements
- Material handling upgrades
- Mill feed chute modifications
This approach tells you something important about operational discipline at the site. Rather than expensive redesigns, the team worked methodically through the constraints. The result is a plant now operating at nameplate capacity, providing a stable foundation for the production growth catalysts ahead.
Note: Figure 1 in the source announcement presents monthly dry tonnes milled since commissioning in July 2025 as a bar chart. Given the chart resolution available, specific monthly tonnage figures have not been cited. The trend shows a clear upward trajectory through to the 630ktpa annualised rate achieved in August 2026.
What is ore sorting and why does it matter for gold production?
Ore sorting is a pre-milling process that separates high-value material from lower-grade rock before it enters the mill. Think of it as a quality filter placed upstream of your processing circuit — only the material worth treating goes through immediately.
Here is what it means specifically for Andy Well:
- What it does: The ore sorter identifies and separates high-grade ore from low-grade material before it reaches the mill. Low-grade material is not wasted; it is stockpiled for processing later in the mine life.
- Why it matters: Ore sorting is expected to approximately double the head grade of Andy Well underground ore entering the circuit. Head grade refers to the concentration of gold in ore fed into the mill — higher head grade means more gold recovered per tonne processed.
- Throughput uplift: By rejecting lower-grade material ahead of the mill, the existing 600ktpa mill effectively gains spare capacity. This is expected to enable up to approximately 800ktpa of run-of-mine material to be treated through the same plant.
- No ore lost: Low-grade material rejected by the sorter is stockpiled, not discarded, preserving optionality for later in the mine life.
The table below summarises the expected before-and-after impact of ore sorting at Andy Well:
| Metric | Without Ore Sorter | With Ore Sorter |
|---|---|---|
| Head grade (Andy Well ore) | Base grade | Approximately double |
| Effective throughput capacity | ~600ktpa mill capacity | Up to ~800ktpa run-of-mine material |
| Low-grade ore treatment | Processed immediately (dilutes grade) | Stockpiled for later in mine life |
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What comes next — Turnberry underground mine adds another growth lever
Two catalysts are now converging to drive Meeka’s next production step-up. The ore sorter, commissioning from early October 2026, is expected to free milling capacity by rejecting low-grade material ahead of the mill. At the same time, ore from the planned Turnberry underground mine is expected to commence in the September 2026 quarter, adding a new ore source into the circuit.
Together, these developments position the plant to treat up to approximately 800ktpa of run-of-mine material through the existing 600ktpa mill. The ore sorting strategy was detailed in Meeka’s ASX announcement dated 17 March 2026, which set out the rationale for the circuit installation.
The plant reaching nameplate throughput is the foundation. The ore sorter and Turnberry are the accelerants. The milestone sequence now looks like this:
- ✓ ~600ktpa throughput achieved — July/August 2026
- ◉ Turnberry underground ore commences — September 2026 quarter
- ◉ Ore sorter commissioning — early October 2026
- ◉ Up to ~800ktpa effective treatment capacity — expected post ore sorter commissioning
For investors tracking Meeka’s production growth trajectory, the next few months represent a meaningful operational inflection point. The plant is performing at nameplate, the ore pipeline is growing, and the ore sorter is expected to materially improve the grade of ore delivered to the processing plant from early October 2026.
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