Lady Herial Test Work Yields 95% Average Gold Recovery with 80% Gravity Component

Metallurgical Breakthrough at Lady Herial

Lunnon Metals Limited (ASX: LM8) has unveiled compelling metallurgical test work results from its Lady Herial gold prospect within the Kambalda Gold & Nickel Project (KGNP). The sighter test program, conducted on 13 reverse circulation (RC) samples, demonstrated an impressive average gold recovery of 95% across a broad range of grades and weathering profiles. Notably, the high-grade sample LT15 achieved an exceptional 99.3% overall recovery, including an 80.1% gravity recovery component, underscoring the presence of coarse, gravity-recoverable gold.

These outcomes confirm Lady Herial’s classification as a classic “St Ives” style free-milling gold deposit, characterised by high recoveries and low reagent consumption. The prospect’s shallow depth and outcropping nature suggest low strip ratios, which could facilitate rapid advancement towards open pit mining and early cash flow generation.

Implications for Processing and Development

The strong gravity recoverable gold component identified in the test work is particularly significant. Lunnon Metals plans to incorporate gravity separation steps in future metallurgical programs to potentially boost recoveries further, drawing on extensive experience in the region where gravity recoveries of 30-40% are achievable. Optimization efforts will also focus on grind size, residence time, and reagent usage to enhance processing efficiency.

Managing Director Edmund Ainscough emphasised the importance of these results as a de-risking milestone, stating that the data aligns with over three decades of regional expertise. The company is now poised to align subsequent test work with the processing flowsheet of potential toll treatment facilities, including discussions with major players like Gold Fields Ltd.

Strategic 2025 Exploration and Development Plans

Building on the metallurgical success, Lunnon Metals has outlined an ambitious 2025 program targeting resource infill drilling, detailed structural studies via Optical Televiewer surveys, and mineral resource estimation at Lady Herial. The company also aims to complete permitting for open pit mining and explore ore purchase or toll treatment agreements to expedite development.

Beyond Lady Herial, the company is advancing exploration across multiple prospects within the KGNP, including the Foster Gold Belt and Lunnon Basalt/Sediment targets, with a focus on identifying additional shallow, high-grade gold deposits. This dual approach balances near-term production potential with longer-term discovery ambitions.

Context within a Prolific Gold District

The KGNP sits within the renowned Kambalda/St Ives gold camp, one of Australia’s most prolific gold-producing regions. The area boasts a rich history of gold and nickel mining, with significant infrastructure and granted mining leases in place. Lunnon Metals’ strategic positioning and ownership of key mineral rights, combined with these metallurgical advances, position the company well to capitalize on the current favourable gold price environment.

As the company progresses, the integration of metallurgical insights with exploration and development milestones will be critical to unlocking the full value of Lady Herial and the broader KGNP portfolio.