Lion One Metals Drives Operational Efficiency at Tuvatu Gold Mine

Lion One reports February 2026 gold production of 804 oz, targets major efficiency gains via new drills and a flotation plant to boost recovery rates and mine life at Tuvatu.

Lion One Metals is implementing a comprehensive operational overhaul at its Tuvatu gold mine in Fiji, with a core focus on modernizing its underground drilling fleet. This initiative forms the central pillar of the company's "Phase 2" strategy, aimed at achieving a sustainable, higher-quality production profile for the long term.

February Production Metrics and Operational Context

Despite ongoing transition activities, mining operations continued throughout February. The company reported navigating variable ore grades and certain logistical challenges underground. The commissioning of new equipment and ventilation upgrades are expected to progressively alleviate these operational hurdles.

Key production figures for February 2026 were released:
- Processed Ore: 10,267 tonnes
- Average Gold Grade: 3.49 g/t
- Gold Recovery Rate: 77.3%
- Net Gold Production: 804 ounces (bringing the year-to-date total to 9,180 ounces)

A significant near-term milestone is the new flotation plant, which is nearing completion and remains under budget. Management anticipates this expansion will deliver a marked improvement in recovery rates, thereby enhancing the overall economics of the Tuvatu operation.

Drilling Performance Takes Center Stage

A primary driver of the efficiency push is a stark increase in drilling advance rates. Historically, underground drilling progress had lagged, achieving less than ten meters per shift. The company is now targeting rates exceeding 25 meters through the deployment of new high-performance equipment. Initial tests have been promising, with drilling meters already doubling in some instances.

This improvement is not merely a numerical goal. Higher-quality drill cores enable more precise mine planning, which in turn supports stabilized gold throughput at the processing plant. To accelerate this transition, Lion One is currently in negotiations to acquire four additional underground drill rigs.

Exploration Success and Future Outlook

Concurrent exploration drilling in February yielded encouraging results. One highlight was an intercept of 5.15 meters grading 9.18 g/t gold, underscoring the potential to extend the mine's operational life.

The company's strategy hinges on transforming Tuvatu into a more resilient operation through the synergistic combination of modernized technology and optimized maintenance scheduling. The coming months will be critical in assessing whether the new flotation plant delivers the expected step-change in gold recovery efficiency immediately following its commissioning.