TG Metals has expanded the Van Uden gold resource by 1.8km to a total strike of 4.3km, revealing significant high-grade gold intercepts and advancing a near-term heap leach opportunity supported by promising laterite drilling.
- Strike extension of 1.8km confirmed at Van Uden
- High-grade intercepts including 6m at 5.57 g/t Au
- Laterite drilling indicates additional mineralisation potential
- Current laterite resource supports heap leach operation
- Diamond drilling assays and heap leach study pending
Significant Strike Extension at Van Uden
TG Metals Limited (ASX:TG6) has revealed that recent reconnaissance drilling at its Van Uden Gold Project has extended the known gold mineralisation by an additional 1.8 kilometres south of the existing Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE), bringing the total strike length to at least 4.3 kilometres. This extension was confirmed through five reverse circulation (RC) holes drilled along strike, which intersected gold mineralisation within the Van Uden shear zone, a key structural feature hosting the deposit.
Highlight intercepts include a standout 6 metres grading 5.57 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 84 metres, featuring a 3-metre section at 10.69 g/t Au, recorded in drillhole TGGR052 near the historic Tasman open pit. This intercept is not currently included in the MRE, suggesting potential for a near-term resource upgrade.
Laterite Drilling Supports Heap Leach Prospects
Alongside the strike extension, TG Metals is advancing a program of auger drilling targeting the laterite horizon, which hosts a current resource of 17,700 ounces of gold at a grade of 0.52 g/t Au. Early results confirm the presence of favourable pisolitic laterite from surface, a key indicator for heap leach amenability. Heap leach testwork on this material has previously demonstrated recoveries exceeding 90%, underscoring the economic potential of near-surface processing.
The company expects to receive assay results from this laterite drilling and diamond core samples by July, with a heap leach study due by the end of June. This study will be critical in defining the scale and economics of the proposed heap leach operation, which aims to provide a material revenue stream ahead of larger-scale production.
Diamond Drilling and Resource Growth Potential
Four diamond drill holes completed within the main Van Uden resource area are currently undergoing assay analysis. These holes were designed to gather geotechnical data and fresh core samples to inform mine design and metallurgical studies. The pending results will be pivotal in refining the resource and supporting future mining studies.
The Van Uden shear continues to show promise for resource extensions, with mineralisation intersected up to 1.8 kilometres south of the current MRE despite extensive sand dune cover obscuring surface geochemistry in this area. Follow-up drilling is planned to better define this southern extension.
Project Location and Resource Overview
Located in Western Australia's Forrestania Greenstone Belt, Van Uden is strategically positioned near several operating and care-and-maintenance gold processing plants, including Marvel Loch and Cosmic Boy. The project’s April 2026 MRE totals approximately 270,800 ounces of gold across 7.9 million tonnes at an average grade of 1.06 g/t Au, with 56% classified in the Indicated category, supporting near-term mining and processing studies.
The resource includes a substantial laterite component amenable to heap leach processing, oxide and transition zones, and fresh rock mineralisation. The ongoing drilling and metallurgical programs aim to enhance the resource base and unlock the project's economic potential.
Bottom Line?
TG Metals’ recent drilling success at Van Uden not only extends the gold mineralisation significantly but also bolsters the case for a near-term heap leach operation, with key assay results and studies imminent.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the pending diamond drill assays confirm deeper resource extensions at Van Uden?
- How materially will the laterite resource grow following the current auger drilling results?
- What economic impact will the heap leach study outcomes have on project development timelines?