Emerald Resources has announced a 27% increase in the Mineral Resource Estimate for its Memot Gold Project in Cambodia, now totaling 1.7 million ounces of gold, with full permitting in place to begin development this year.
- Memot Gold Project resource grows to 1.7 million ounces
- 27% increase from previous July 2025 estimate
- Higher grade portion of 1.24 million ounces at 1.8g/t gold
- Project fully permitted with Industrial Mining Licence and Mineral Investment Agreement
- Development planned to commence in 2026 alongside Australian Dingo Range project
Resource Growth and Project Status
Emerald Resources NL has reported a significant uplift in the Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for its 100% owned Memot Gold Project in Cambodia. The updated resource now stands at 45.0 million tonnes grading 1.2 grams per tonne gold, equating to 1.7 million ounces, a 27% increase from the 1.34 million ounces announced in July 2025. Notably, a higher grade portion of 21.6 million tonnes at 1.8 grams per tonne gold accounts for 1.24 million ounces within this total.
This resource expansion is underpinned by extensive drilling, including 472 drill holes totalling over 132,000 metres, and sophisticated geological modelling. The deposit remains open in all directions and at depth, suggesting further potential for growth. Emerald plans additional extensional and regional drilling throughout 2026 to build on this momentum.
Permitting and Development Outlook
Crucially, the Memot Gold Project is fully permitted for development and operations, having recently secured an Industrial Mining Licence and a Mineral Investment Agreement from the Cambodian government. The company has also received in-principle environmental approval, with a final Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) due for submission by April 2026.
Emerald’s Managing Director, Morgan Hart, emphasised that these milestones position Memot to commence development activities in 2026. The company is preparing to finalise a maiden ore reserve estimate based on the updated resource, which will underpin upcoming feasibility studies.
Operational and Strategic Context
Memot’s progress complements Emerald’s broader portfolio, including the fully operational Okvau Gold Mine in Cambodia, which has produced approximately 450,000 ounces of gold since commissioning in 2021, and the Dingo Range Gold Project in Western Australia. The Dingo Range project itself hosts a resource of 1.36 million ounces and is poised for development alongside Memot.
Emerald is targeting annual gold production of 300,000 to 400,000 ounces once both projects are fully operational. Metallurgical testwork at Memot indicates favourable gold recovery rates using conventional processing methods, simplifying the path to production.
Environmental and Social Governance
The company maintains a strong commitment to environmental and social governance (ESG), aiming for a net positive impact near its mining operations. Emerald targets strict compliance with international standards and local laws, and has pledged carbon neutral operations in Cambodia, reflecting growing investor and community expectations.
With a highly credentialed management team experienced in delivering projects on time and on budget, Emerald appears well positioned to advance Memot from resource to production stage within the coming year.
Bottom Line?
As Emerald Resources moves Memot towards development, the coming months will be critical to confirm reserves and secure environmental approvals, setting the stage for a new growth phase.
Questions in the middle?
- When will Emerald announce the maiden ore reserve and final feasibility outcomes for Memot?
- How will fluctuating gold prices impact the economic viability of the Memot project?
- What progress will be made on the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment submission and approval?