Pre-construction works commence at TGME gold plant in South Africa
Theta Gold Mines has launched pre-construction work at its TGME gold processing facility in South Africa, moving closer to becoming a gold producer. The plant is designed to treat a mix of underground ore, tailings, and surface rock dumps, with the aim of producing gold Doré bars for refining.
As part of its current activities, the company has begun dismantling the existing plant, while final engineering and design work is nearing completion. RM Processing has been tasked with leading the final plant design and cost estimation. In addition, all necessary permits for civil design and site layout have been secured, and the tendering process for construction is almost finalized.
Target
Preparatory steps already undertaken include installing site fencing, rerouting water infrastructure, setting up temporary reservoirs, and procuring machinery for dismantling old structures. Equipment for power and wastewater systems has also been acquired.
The company is targeting Q2 2025 to begin major construction activities, including engineering, procurement, and bulk earthworks. A nearby resource opportunity has also been identified, offering the potential to extract around 174,000 ounces of gold, largely from tailings and surface material.
This follows a 2024 agreement with Yellow River, a subsidiary of PowerChina, which will support construction of the first phase of the TGME project. Chairman Bill Guy stated that the transition from planning to physical execution marks a major step forward for the company.
