Ironclad Deposit Shows Up to 98% Gold Recovery in Neometals’ Latest Tests
Neometals reports promising initial metallurgical test results from its Ironclad Gold Deposit, highlighting up to 98% gold recovery using standard processing methods. Ongoing drilling and further studies aim to refine resource estimates and advance project development.
- Up to 98% overall gold recovery achieved in initial metallurgical tests
- Gravity gold recovery reached as high as 71% in select samples
- 3,254 metres of reverse circulation drilling completed with assays pending
- Further metallurgical testing planned to optimise processing, especially for Domain 2
- Ironclad deposit hosts multiple geo-metallurgical domains within Barrambie Gold Project
Positive Metallurgical Results Signal Potential
Neometals Ltd has announced encouraging early metallurgical sighter test results from the Ironclad Gold Deposit, part of its wholly owned Barrambie Gold Project in Western Australia. Independent testing revealed high gold recoveries of up to 98% using conventional, low-risk processing techniques, with gravity recoveries reaching as much as 71%. These outcomes suggest a straightforward processing route that could underpin efficient gold extraction.
The test work, conducted by Independent Metallurgical Operations Pty Ltd in Perth, focused on three distinct geo-metallurgical domains within the deposit, defined by variations in geology and weathering. Domains 1 and 3 demonstrated particularly strong overall recoveries of 95% and 98%, respectively, while Domain 2 showed more modest results with 80.1% recovery after 48 hours of leaching, indicating room for further optimisation.
Drilling Progress and Exploration Context
Complementing the metallurgical work, Neometals has completed 3,254 metres of reverse circulation drilling along the Barrambie Ranges gold trend and at the historic Golden Treasure mine, with ongoing drilling at Ironclad and the Mystery gold mine. Assay results from this drilling are expected within the current quarter, which will inform updates to the mineral resource estimate and guide subsequent mine planning.
The Barrambie Project is notable for its high-grade gold potential within the Barrambie Greenstone Belt, a region with limited modern exploration since the 1990s. The Ironclad deposit itself hosts gold mineralisation primarily within gabbro-hosted shear zones and quartz veins, with complex vein orientations that suggest a robust and well-developed gold system.
Strategic Next Steps and Project Outlook
Neometals plans a second phase of metallurgical testing to better understand and enhance recovery, particularly targeting the slower-leaching Domain 2 mineralisation. Alongside this, the company will update its inferred mineral resource estimate and continue detailed mine planning and related studies. Managing Director Chris Reed emphasised that these early results bolster confidence in the project’s potential and the viability of a simple processing approach.
With the Barrambie Project also hosting one of the world’s highest-grade titanium deposits, Neometals is strategically positioned to advance multiple valuable mineral assets. The recent metallurgical success at Ironclad adds momentum to the company’s gold exploration efforts and underscores the potential for a significant new gold operation in the Murchison Gold Belt.
Bottom Line?
Neometals’ strong initial metallurgical results at Ironclad set the stage for resource growth and project advancement in 2026.
Questions in the middle?
- How will further metallurgical testing improve recovery rates, especially for Domain 2?
- What impact will upcoming assay results have on the updated mineral resource estimate?
- How might the presence of tellurium influence the economic potential or processing strategy?