Barton Gold Commences Pre-Feasibility Study for Tunkillia Project

Barton Gold (ASX: BGD) (OTCQB: BGDFF) has appointed GR Engineering Services to lead a pre-feasibility study (PFS) for the Tunkillia gold project in South Australia.

Barton has multiple work programs planned to support the study and mining lease application, including an expanded Phase 2 campaign comprising 60,000 metres of reverse circulation drilling and 3,000m of diamond work scheduled for September.

The campaign will support mineral resource upgrades and PFS analyses and will target increased quantity, grade and classification of materials in the high-value S1 and S2 starter pits.

Barton expects to complete the PFS in the first quarter of 2027.

Optimised Scoping Study

A Tunkillia optimised scoping study (OSS) released in May 2025 outlined potential production of approximately 120,000 ounces gold and 260,000oz silver annually, generating $1.75 billion operating profit during the first 27 months with a rapid payback profile.

Interim analysis of assays from the Area 51 optimised open pit identified potential to extend the project’s mineralisation, increase the mineral resource estimate and increase the grade profile and classification of both starter pits.

The assays broadly validated Barton’s existing modelling, with some results displaying a significantly higher grade than anticipated indicating upside potential within and along strike of the pits.

Earlier this month, Barton added 10,500m to the planned Phase 2 upgrade campaign, with the results feeding into the PFS to inform the mining lease application and project finance discussions scheduled for next year.

Next Phase of Development

Managing director Alexander Scanlon said the company was keen to commence the next phase of development at Tunkillia.

“With recent Phase 1 upgrade drilling confirming the mineralisation behind the project’s compelling economics and ongoing Phase 2 drilling identifying new extensions and higher-grade mineralisation in these valuable early pits, we are excited to be formally starting a PFS in parallel with expanded drilling programs targeting potentially material value upside,” he said.

“We are pleased to be working again with GR Engineering, who delivered Tunkillia’s 2025 OSS to a very high standard.”

“Following PFS completion, we will work with all stakeholders to advance a mining lease application, project finance, and development approvals with the goal of advancing Tunkillia as quickly as possible.”