How Did Metal Bank Achieve 72.5% Gravity Gold Recovery at Seven Leaders?

Exceptional Metallurgical Performance at Seven Leaders

Metal Bank Limited (ASX:MBK) has released compelling metallurgical test results from its Seven Leaders Prospect, part of the Whiteheads Gold Project located roughly 80 kilometres northeast of Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. The highlight is a remarkable 72.5% gold recovery achieved through a single-pass Falcon gravity separation test, complemented by intensive leaching that recovered more than 99% of gold content. This combination signals strong processing potential for the deposit.

The test work, conducted on a composite sample derived from 32 reverse circulation drill holes completed in 2025, also revealed a significant nugget effect, a phenomenon where coarse gold particles cause variability in assay results but may indicate higher actual grades underground. This nugget effect could translate into a grade upside, enhancing the deposit’s economic prospects.

Resource and Processing Insights

The Seven Leaders deposit currently holds a JORC 2012 Mineral Resource Estimate of 138,000 tonnes at 1.4 grams per tonne gold, equating to approximately 6,300 ounces. The metallurgical testing further demonstrated that the gravity concentrate achieved an impressive grade of about 820 grams per tonne gold, while the tailings still contained 7.9 grams per tonne, indicating room for further recovery optimization.

Subsequent cyanide bottle roll leaching tests on both the Falcon concentrate and tailings confirmed high recoveries of 99.79% and 92.6% respectively, underscoring the amenability of the ore to conventional processing methods. These results suggest that Metal Bank could implement a low capital cost gravity circuit onsite, reducing operational expenses by minimizing ore transport and external processing.

Strategic Implications and Next Steps

CEO Tim Gilbert emphasised the significance of these findings, stating that the high gravity recovery and potential grade upside pave the way for Metal Bank to become a near-term gold producer at Seven Leaders. The company is actively progressing pit design, waste dump sterilisation drilling, and mining proposal applications to expedite development. Production at Seven Leaders is expected to be followed by output from the Homestead and Winja deposits within the Livingstone project near Meekatharra.

Metal Bank’s broader portfolio includes advanced gold, copper, and cobalt projects across Western Australia and Queensland, with ongoing exploration and development programs planned for 2026. The company’s focus on integrating efficient processing techniques with resource growth positions it well within the competitive WA gold sector.

Technical Rigor and Resource Confidence

The resource estimate and metallurgical data have been compiled and validated by independent consultants, including Entech Pty Ltd and Fremantle Metallurgy, ensuring robust technical underpinning. While the high nugget effect introduces some variability in grade estimation, the classification of resources into Indicated and Inferred categories reflects appropriate confidence levels. Further drilling and test work are anticipated to refine resource continuity and optimize recovery strategies.