TG Metals Eyes Doubled Laterite Gold Resource at Van Uden Project

TG Metals advances Van Uden gold project with promising heap leach results and expanded drilling targets.
By William Hadrian -
Summarise with Ai:

TG Metals Targets a Doubling of Laterite Gold Resources at Van Uden as Heap Leach Project Advances

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.

New Targets Identified with Resource-Doubling Potential

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.

Understanding the Existing Resource: Where Things Stand

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:

  • The total resource stands at 270,800 ounces of gold across nearly 8 million tonnes at an average grade of 1.06 g/t Au
  • The Laterite category, which underpins the heap leach concept, currently contains 17,700 ounces — the target of the new drilling programme
  • Should the new laterite targets prove successful, total laterite ounces could potentially approach ~35,000 ounces, based on the company's doubling commentary
  • Deeper Indicated resources in the Oxide and Fresh categories — totalling over 98,000 Indicated ounces — may also be amenable to heap leach processing, further expanding the project's development optionality

Preliminary Heap Leach Design Takes Shape

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.

What Are the Key Design Parameters?

Key design parameters and features include:

  • Nominal processing capacity: 250,000 tonnes per annum
  • Configuration: On-off leach pad to reduce land disturbance
  • Footprint: The design is positioned within the starter laterite pit, using existing excavation to house the facility and reduce the overall surface impact
  • Infrastructure: Adequate space allocated for leach pads, run-of-mine (ROM) ore storage, and all associated infrastructure
  • The Mining Proposal incorporating this design is targeted for submission this month (May 2026)

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.

What Is a Heap Leach Operation? A Beginner's Guide

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:

  1. Ore is mined from an open pit and stacked onto a lined pad (the "heap")
  2. A diluted cyanide or acid solution is dripped or sprayed across the ore
  3. The solution percolates through the heap, dissolving the gold as it passes
  4. The gold-bearing solution (called the "pregnant leach solution") is collected at the base and processed to recover the gold
  5. The pad is then cleared ("off"), and fresh ore is stacked again — hence the term "on-off pad"

Why Does This Matter for Investors?

  • Heap leaching carries significantly lower capital and operating costs compared to conventional milling circuits
  • It is well-suited to bulk-tonnage, near-surface laterite deposits like Van Uden
  • A 250,000 tonne per annum operation is a practical, scalable entry point that can be expanded if additional resources are delineated — exactly what TG Metals is pursuing with its new drilling programme

Glossary of Key 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

A Busy Near-Term Workplan

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 Investment Case: Why Van Uden Deserves Attention

1. Resource Growth Runway Is Real and Proximal

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.

2. The Heap Leach Model Is Low-Capital by Nature

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.

3. A Project in a Jurisdiction That Works

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.

4. Multiple Near-Term Catalysts on the Horizon

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.

5. The April 2026 Resource Upgrade Laid Critical Groundwork

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.

Why Investors Should Keep TG Metals on Their Radar

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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William Hadrian
By William Hadrian
Partnerships Director
William supports Discovery Alert subscribers across Australia and overseas, helping them tailor alerts, troubleshoot technical issues, and optimise platform settings to suit their workflow.
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