TG Metals has put another 1.8km of Van Uden gold strike on the table. Pic: Getty Images
- TG Metals’ drilling extends mineralised gold strike by 1.8km to the south of existing resource
- Auger drilling intersects pisolitic laterite from surface, raising likelihood of increasing laterite resources
- Assays also pending for diamond drilling at the core of the Van Uden deposit
Special Report: TG Metals’ reconnaissance drilling has extended the known gold mineralisation footprint at its Van Uden project in WA’s Southern Cross-Forrestania Greenstone Belt.
The five-hole program has extended the strike of known gold mineralisation by a further 1.8km south of the existing resource estimate, taking the total strike length up to 4.3km.
Notable results from the drilling include:
- 6m grading 5.57g/t gold from a down-hole depth of 84m, including 3m at 10.69g/t from 84m (TGGR052);
- 6m at 0.72g/t gold from 27m (TGGR148); and
- 5m at 0.79g/t gold from 30m (TGGR149).
TG Metals (ASX:TG6) says initial results from auger drilling targeting extensions of existing laterite resources indicate additional mineralisation that could support the near-term heap leach opportunity.
“Final assay results from RC drilling at Van Uden continue to show strong high grade gold mineralisation within the current MRE and we have now also proven a continuous strike length of 4.3km, extending south of the historic Tasman pit and demonstrate the resource growth potential of the Van Uden shear,” chief executive officer David Selfe said.
“We are also excited that there are early positive indications from the auger drilling to extend the laterite gold resource, with pisolitic laterite sighted from surface.
“This is an important outcome as we progress the heap leach opportunity for the company.
“The heap leach is expected to provide material revenue opportunity for the company as we continue to progress the larger production opportunity at Van Uden.”
Strike extends south
Reverse circulation drilling was aimed at expanding the current Van Uden resource of 7.94Mt at 1.06g/t, or 270,800oz of contained gold, by infilling and testing along strike to the south.
This successfully intercepted gold mineralisation on a flat fault structure at the contact between the metasediments and the basalt, the same structure identified as a core part of the Van Uden gold deposit.
The Van Uden shear is interpreted to become much steeper to the east and this will require further drill testing.
Van Uden shear mineralisation was also intersected in hole TGGR147 at the southern-most tenement boundary though the shear position is not well defined in this area as sand dune cover is extensive, obliterating surface geochemistry.
Meanwhile, logging of auger holes testing additional laterite targets outside the current laterite resource of 1.05Mt at 0.52g/t, or 17,700oz of contained gold, has confirmed the presence of pisolitic laterite.
This is a positive sign that laterite gold mineralisation could be increased.
Heap leaching of laterite material has already achieved 88% recoveries within just 35 days of leaching and rising to the high 90s, including 99.8% in the Tasman sample, after 52 days.
With no pre-stripping and minimal handling required, this could deliver low capital and operating costs.
More results to come
Assays are currently pending for four diamond holes drilled within the main Van Uden resource area to capture geotechnical information for inclusion into mine designs and to provide core samples of fresh gold-bearing material.
Samples from the laterite auger drilling have also been sent to the laboratory for assay.
Results from both diamond and auger drilling are expected in July.
TG6 is currently seeking approvals for further RC drilling along strike to the north and south of the Van Uden resource.
It is also progressing workstreams for the laterite heap leach study.
This article was developed in collaboration with TG Metals, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.
This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.
