Pacgold Limited (ASX: PGO) has activated key heap leach operations at its White Dam Gold Project in South Australia, moving toward initial gold production and early cash flow. Cyanide irrigation is now in progress on the western side of the existing heap leach pad, following recent turnover and aeration of stockpiled ore.
The company expects up to 250,000 tonnes of run-of-mine (“ROM”) ore to be fully under irrigation by mid-January 2026. The heap leach process will use the site’s recently relined and approved Pregnant Leach Solution Pond and fully operational processing infrastructure.
Pacgold has mobilised the excavator to continue aerating less-treated areas of the pad. The initial leaching phase is scheduled for approximately 5–6 weeks, with ore set to be processed and sold as soon as possible once early gold is extracted.
Path to Near-Term Cash Flow
Completion of the heap leach irrigation phase is intended to generate early cash inflows. Pacgold believes these funds will support further development work and exploration across its portfolio while providing an early test of recovery rates from existing ore.
The White Dam plant and leach pad were acquired by Pacgold to transition from explorer to producer. The facility includes operational processing assets and provides the company with a clear near-term production pathway.
Exploration and Development Resuming
Pacgold is also reactivating exploration crews. Drilling at the Vertigo, Hannaford and White Dam North targets is scheduled to restart imminently. These programs are planned to continue through May–June 2026.
The company plans to start an engineering study shortly to assess expansion of the pad base. The expanded facility could add roughly 4 million tonnes of additional leaching capacity ahead of a larger full production ramp-up.
Commentary on Production Phase
Pacgold’s Managing Director, Matthew Boyes, said, “With cyanide irrigation now underway and up to 250,000 tonnes of ROM ore expected to be under leach by mid-January, we are on track for imminent gold production and the generation of initial cash flow.”
Boyes added that the irrigation initiative should serve as a large-scale metallurgical test. Results are expected to show the potential to extract value from the approximately 7.5 million tonnes of existing ROM ore on the pad.
Operational Outlook and Next Steps
The heap leach irrigation marks Pacgold’s first material production activity at White Dam. The upcoming drilling and engineering study will help define resource extensions and long-term leaching capacity.
Pacgold’s efforts to integrate exploration and production at White Dam are now tangible, with early operational steps underway at the heap pad and a structured work program into mid-2026.
