TG Metals Targets 15.6 - 20.1Mt Lithium at Burmeister with Drilling Approved

Mining Lease Application Signals Development Intent

TG Metals Limited (ASX:TG6) is moving decisively to capitalise on the recent upswing in lithium market sentiment by lodging an imminent mining lease application over the Burmeister lithium deposit at its Lake Johnston Project in Western Australia. The shallow oxidised cover of around 5 metres means minimal waste stripping before potentially delivering direct shipping ore (DSO), an option the company is actively considering following inquiries from Asian buyers seeking offtake. The proximity of Burmeister to existing road and processing infrastructure, including the Esperance port, strengthens the project's logistical appeal.

Resource Drilling Program Approved to Upgrade Burmeister

With Program of Works approvals secured, TG Metals plans a substantial resource drill-out encompassing 41 holes totalling 4,809 metres, combining reverse circulation and diamond core drilling. This campaign aims to upgrade the deposit to resource status using a US$2,500/tonne spodumene concentrate price shell to guide drilling targets. The program also supports metallurgical sampling for semi-continuous testwork on the company’s proprietary hybrid dense media separation and flotation flowsheet, which has already demonstrated excellent spodumene concentrate grades up to 6.31% Li2O.

Burmeister remains open in multiple directions beyond the current drilling limit of approximately 250 metres, hosting an Exploration Target of 15.6 to 20.1 million tonnes grading between 0.97% and 1.19% Li2O. However, the company cautions that this target is conceptual and further drilling density is required to define a Mineral Resource.

Innovative Processing and Waste Stream Opportunities

TG Metals continues to advance its flotation enhancement technology, with a provisional patent application progressing through IP Australia. This innovation is integrated into the flowsheet designed to improve spodumene recovery. Separately, the company is investigating commercial opportunities in the waste streams from the dense media separation process, which are rich in quartz and feldspar minerals. If viable, these could provide additional revenue streams beyond lithium concentrate sales.

Parallel Gold Development at Van Uden Progresses

While lithium development accelerates, TG Metals is simultaneously advancing its Van Uden gold heap leach project. Recent metallurgical testwork has achieved over 90% gold recovery, a milestone that supports the company’s plans for a final investment decision targeted in the third quarter of 2026. This progress complements the lithium project and underscores TG Metals’ diversified resource strategy in Western Australia. Investors following the company’s lithium ambitions may find the ongoing gold developments at Van Uden relevant, especially given the recent heap leach recoveries exceed 90% and doubling laterite gold targets reported earlier this month.

Market Conditions and Next Steps

The lithium market’s recent strength has provided the catalyst for TG Metals to ramp up development activities at Lake Johnston after a period of subdued commodity pricing. The company’s CEO, David Selfe, emphasised that mining lease applications and resource drilling approvals will pave the pathway for advancing Burmeister. Upcoming drilling results and the progress of the technology patent application will be critical milestones to watch, alongside any updates on waste stream commercialisation. The company’s dual focus on lithium and gold projects in a stable jurisdiction like Western Australia positions it to leverage favourable market dynamics across both commodities.