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TG Metals Limited (ASX: TG6) has released a significant exploration update for its Van Uden Gold Project in Western Australia, outlining newly defined TG Metals Van Uden laterite gold targets and heap leach project update that carry the potential to double the project's existing laterite resource. Alongside the targeting work, the company has advanced its heap leach development pathway with a preliminary facility design submitted as part of an upcoming Mining Proposal, bringing the project a meaningful step closer to production.
A desktop study using historical soil sampling data and legacy RAB and RC drilling along the Van Uden shear zone has identified additional laterite gold targets that closely mirror the geochemical signature of the existing Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE). In areas where historical drill data was available, the soil anomalies were confirmed to correspond with laterite mineralisation at depth — lending confidence to the targeting methodology.
The targets that lack historical drill coverage will be tested with new RC drilling. Programmes of Work (POWs) have already been submitted to relevant authorities and are awaiting approval.
"The targeting has shown the potential to double the current laterite resource should planned drilling be effective in defining surface laterite gold mineralisation. Additional laterite gold will support an extended mine life for a proposed onsite heap leach operation at Van Uden." — CEO David Selfe
All identified laterite gold targets sit within existing Mining Leases and are located close to established internal haul roads — a practical advantage that could reduce future development costs and timelines.
The Van Uden MRE was updated in April 2026, delivering a more than 120% increase in the Indicated resource category. This uplift has been central to TG Metals' ability to progress mining and processing studies, particularly the heap leach concept which targets the near-surface laterite material.
The current resource across all material types is summarised below:
| Material | Indicated Tonnes | Grade (Au g/t) | Indicated Gold (oz) | Inferred Tonnes | Grade (Au g/t) | Inferred Gold (oz) | Total Gold (oz) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laterite | 886,000 | 0.56 | 15,900 | 167,000 | 0.33 | 1,800 | 17,700 |
| Oxide | 1,976,000 | 1.15 | 73,300 | 414,000 | 0.91 | 12,100 | 85,400 |
| Transition | 1,115,000 | 1.07 | 38,300 | 740,000 | 1.01 | 24,100 | 62,400 |
| Fresh | 580,000 | 1.35 | 25,100 | 2,057,000 | 1.21 | 80,200 | 105,300 |
| Total | 4,557,000 | 1.04 | 152,600 | 3,378,000 | 1.09 | 118,200 | 270,800 |
Source: Van Uden Gold Deposit MRE – April 2026 (JORC 2012 compliant)
Key observations from the resource table include the following:
In parallel with the resource expansion work, TG Metals has completed a preliminary design for the Van Uden laterite heap leach facility. The design is built around an on-off leach pad production model, a configuration that minimises the disturbance footprint by reusing pad areas across successive ore campaigns.
Key design parameters and features include:
Furthermore, the company has noted that final design modifications may follow completion of ongoing heap leach metallurgical testwork, though the overall disturbance footprint is not expected to change materially.
Heap leaching is a low-cost gold extraction method particularly well-suited to near-surface, lower-grade mineralisation such as laterites. Here is how it works in simple terms:
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Laterite | A near-surface, weathered rock horizon enriched in iron and aluminium, often hosting disseminated gold in tropical/sub-tropical regions |
| MRE (Mineral Resource Estimate) | A formal, JORC-compliant estimate of the quantity and grade of a mineral deposit |
| Indicated Resource | A resource category with sufficient geological confidence to support mine planning |
| Inferred Resource | Lower confidence resource category requiring further drilling to upgrade |
| RC Drilling | Reverse Circulation — a drilling method that returns rock chips to surface for sampling |
| RAB Drilling | Rotary Air Blast — a shallow, lower-cost drilling method used for initial targeting |
| POW (Programme of Work) | A formal regulatory submission required before drilling can commence in Western Australia |
| On-Off Leach Pad | A heap leach configuration where ore is stacked, leached, then removed to allow pad reuse |
| ROM (Run of Mine) | Ore as it comes directly from the mine, before processing |
TG Metals has articulated a clear and active pipeline of work across multiple workstreams simultaneously. Importantly, the company is not waiting on a single catalyst — several parallel tracks are advancing at once.
| Activity | Status |
|---|---|
| Metallurgical column leach testwork | Ongoing — results pending completion |
| Mining Proposal submission | Targeted for May 2026 |
| POW approvals for new laterite RC drilling | Submitted — awaiting approval |
| Heap leach equipment sourcing | Commenced |
| Mining contractor discussions | Commenced |
The convergence of these workstreams — resource expansion drilling, regulatory approvals, metallurgical testwork, and equipment procurement — suggests TG Metals is orienting the Van Uden project toward a production decision rather than an indefinite exploration cycle.
The new laterite targets are derived from existing soil data and have already been verified by historical drilling in areas where that data exists. This is not speculative — it is systematic target generation using established geological methods, applied to ground already held within existing Mining Leases.
Heap leach operations are among the lowest-cost gold production methods available. For a junior company like TG Metals, this pathway to production is meaningfully more achievable than constructing a conventional processing plant. In addition, the preliminary design at 250,000 tpa represents a sensible, scalable starting point.
Van Uden is located in Western Australia — consistently ranked as one of the world's most mining-friendly jurisdictions. The project sits within existing Mining Leases and close to existing haul road infrastructure, reducing both regulatory uncertainty and future development costs.
The combination of a pending Mining Proposal submission, approaching drill results from column testwork, and imminent POW approvals creates a series of news flow catalysts that could progressively de-risk the project over the coming months.
A more than 120% increase in the Indicated resource category in April 2026 was the foundation that enabled the progression of mining studies. The new laterite drilling programme, if successful, adds a further leg to that resource growth story and could materially enhance the economics of the heap leach concept.
TG Metals is executing a disciplined, multi-track development strategy at Van Uden with a clear near-term objective: establish the case for a low-capital heap leach gold operation anchored by a growing laterite resource base.
This TG Metals Van Uden laterite gold targets and heap leach project update represents a company converting exploration data into actionable development steps. With the potential to double existing laterite ounces combined with a preliminary heap leach design ready for regulatory submission, this represents meaningful progress across multiple fronts.
With metallurgical testwork underway, a Mining Proposal imminent, and RC drilling soon to begin on newly defined targets, the next three to six months could be defining ones for the Van Uden project.
"TG Metals has positioned Van Uden as a near-term, low-capital gold development opportunity in Western Australia, with a resource base of 270,800 ounces and a clear pathway to expand laterite ounces by up to 100% through imminent drilling. As this TG Metals Van Uden laterite gold targets and heap leach project update advances through regulatory and technical milestones, investors should watch closely for metallurgical results, POW approvals, and the Mining Proposal outcome as key value-defining events."
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