Van Uden Gold Resource Hits 227,140 Oz in Latest JORC 2012 Update
TG Metals Limited has upgraded the Van Uden Gold Project resource to a 2012 JORC compliant Mineral Resource Estimate, confirming 227,140 ounces of gold within a 6.35 million tonne open-pit constrained resource. The update lays a solid foundation for upcoming mining studies and potential resource expansion.
- JORC 2012 compliant Mineral Resource Estimate for Van Uden
- 6.35 million tonnes at 1.15 g/t gold for 227,140 ounces
- Resource constrained within a 2.5 km continuous strike open-pit shell
- Mining studies progressing including stockpile evaluation
- Potential for resource growth from untested extensions and new targets
Van Uden Resource Upgrade – A Milestone for TG Metals
TG Metals Limited (ASX – TG6) has announced a significant update to its Van Uden Gold Project in Western Australia, releasing a 2012 JORC compliant Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) that confirms a total of 6.35 million tonnes grading 1.15 grams per tonne gold, equating to 227,140 ounces. This represents a conversion and modernization of the previous 2004 resource estimate to current industry standards, providing a more robust and transparent foundation for advancing the project.
Chief Executive Officer David Selfe highlighted the importance of this milestone, noting that the updated MRE is a critical step toward commencing detailed mining studies and progressing Van Uden rapidly toward production. The resource is defined within an optimised open-pit shell extending over a continuous 2.5-kilometre strike length, underscoring the deposit's scale and potential.
Geological and Technical Foundations
The Van Uden deposit lies within the Forrestania Greenstone Belt, a prolific gold-bearing region characterized by structurally controlled mineralisation along shear zones. The updated resource incorporates extensive historical drilling data, including over 79,000 meters of various drilling types, rigorously validated and interpreted using modern geostatistical methods such as Ordinary Kriging and Whittle optimisation.
The resource classification includes Indicated and Inferred categories, with no Measured Resources reported, reflecting confidence levels based on drill spacing and geological continuity. The resource estimate assumes a cut-off grade of 0.35 g/t gold, appropriate for small to mid-sized open-pit mining operations, with metallurgical recovery estimated at 92% and mining costs factored into economic assumptions.
Advancing Toward Production and Growth
Mining studies are underway not only on the in-pit resource but also on stockpiles that have yet to be included in the MRE. Drilling of these stockpiles is progressing well, with results expected to further enhance the project's resource base. Moreover, TG Metals is optimistic about future resource growth driven by numerous untested extensions and new exploration targets identified outside the current resource shell.
The project's proximity to toll treatment facilities adds logistical advantages, potentially reducing capital expenditure and accelerating development timelines. The comprehensive geological understanding and robust resource base position Van Uden as a promising asset within TG Metals' portfolio, which also includes lithium projects in the region.
Looking Ahead
While the updated MRE marks a pivotal step, the company acknowledges that further drilling, infill programs, and mining studies are essential to refine the resource and advance toward a definitive feasibility study. The absence of an external audit on the current resource estimate suggests that stakeholders should monitor forthcoming technical reports closely.
Bottom Line?
TG Metals’ Van Uden resource upgrade sets the stage for accelerated development, but upcoming drilling and mining studies will be critical to unlocking its full potential.
Questions in the middle?
- How will ongoing drilling of stockpiles impact the overall resource and project economics?
- What timelines does TG Metals envisage for completing mining studies and advancing to production?
- Could untested extensions materially increase the resource beyond the current 227,000 ounces?