Pacgold has achieved a significant milestone at its White Dam project in South Australia, pouring its maiden gold doré bar as the heap-leach operation restarted ahead of schedule and within budget. The company produced a 3-kilogram bar containing an estimated 80 ounces of gold from early pad turnover.
Ore was extracted from the western edge of the heap and processed through a refurbished plant that became operational just five months after acquisition. Residual ore already stacked on the pad is being turned and irrigated to flush out remaining gold. Pacgold reports that grades remain stable and plant performance is strong, indicating a fully operational leach circuit without issues.
The doré bar has been sent to the Perth Mint for refining and sale, generating initial cash flow and solidifying the company's transition from explorer to producer. The groundwork leading to the first gold pour was methodical and largely trouble-free, according to the company.
Re-crush campaign drives value
Cyanide irrigation began earlier this year, followed by mobilisation and commissioning of new crushing circuits. This kick-started the re-crush program, breathing new life into old heaps—a proven method for low-cost ounces from previously processed material. The re-crush campaign has been a key driver, aiming to free trapped value from legacy heaps. Finer crushing improves permeability and boosts recovery. Tens of thousands of tonnes of re-crushed ore are now under irrigation, with throughput targeting 90,000 tonnes per month.
Plant refurbishment is nearly complete, with only one final carbon-in-column unit to be installed to restore full capacity. Concurrently, Pacgold is planning an expanded leach pad to support the next growth phase, with designs expected by the end of June ahead of construction tenders.
Exploration progress
Alongside development at White Dam, Pacgold has advanced an aggressive exploration program. Drilling at the Vertigo deposit, targeting shallow mineralisation upgrades, has concluded with assays pending. Results will feed into a refreshed resource model and mine plan as the operation moves toward full-scale production by 2027.
Managing Director Matthew Boyes commented: "The first gold pour of many to come at White Dam is a transformative moment for Pacgold. Delivering our maiden gold doré bar just five months after acquisition, this milestone marks our official transition from explorer to producer."
Project pedigree and upside
White Dam has a proven history, having produced 180,000 ounces of gold from heap leach operations between 2010 and 2018 under previous owner GBM Resources. Pacgold acquired the asset in December 2025. The current resource inventory stands at 4.6 million tonnes grading 0.7 g/t gold for 102,000 ounces, providing a solid foundation for the restart.
Nearby opportunities are emerging. A 50/50 profit-share deal at the Grainger Gold-owned Wadnaminga project, 80 kilometres south-west of White Dam, offers a toll-treating avenue to extract value from historic material. Pacgold's near-mine drilling continues to define shallow gold zones that could feed the plant and extend mine life.
Future growth in Queensland
Beyond South Australia, Pacgold's longer-term growth is anchored in Queensland. The flagship Alice River gold project and the emerging St George gold-antimony system, traced over 30 kilometres of strike, offer scale and discovery potential. White Dam, as a near-term cash generator, is expected to partially fund future drilling programs in Queensland.
With gold prices remaining strong and heap leach operations offering a low-cost base, Pacgold is well-positioned. A live plant, growing re-crushed inventory, and a clear path to scale provide multiple levers for growth. If this first pour is any indication, White Dam is shifting from restart rhetoric to revenue reality, with ounces set to continue flowing.
