Key Highlights

  • Preliminary metallurgical testwork at the Sheoak Prospect returned an average gold recovery of 90.5% from a standard bottle roll BLEG analysis on selected mineralised intervals.
  • Twenty-two RC samples were tested from key locations in the central area of Sheoak, spanning a range of transitional and fresh materials.
  • Results indicate the gold mineralisation at Sheoak is non-refractory and amenable to conventional Carbon In-Leach treatment.
  • Nuckulla Hill drilling is scheduled to resume in September 2026 with an aircore program testing multiple new targets, followed by RC follow-up drilling at Sheoak, Sheoak East and Bimba.

Auravelle Metals (ASX:AUV) shares jumped after the explorer reported strong preliminary metallurgical results from its Sheoak Prospect in South Australia. Auravelle (ASX:AUV) shares were trading at $0.0070, up 16.67% (+$0.0010), as at 12:14pm AEST on 26 August 2026.

Auravelle Metals Limited has completed first pass metallurgical testwork on selected mineralised intervals within the Sheoak Prospect, part of the company's Nuckulla Hill Gold Project in South Australia. The results from the Bulk Leach Extractable Gold (BLEG) preliminary test work on transitional and fresh material indicate that gold mineralisation at Sheoak is non-refractory, with bottle roll BLEG results averaging 90.5% recovery across the tested intervals.

Recovery results ranged from 81% to 97% across the sample set, indicating the mineralisation is amenable to traditional cyanide leach processing methods. An aggregate of 22 samples from two RC drill holes were submitted for the BLEG bottle roll leach extraction method of gold analysis, undertaken by Bureau Veritas's laboratory in Adelaide, South Australia.

The bottle roll method included sampling and analysis of the solids residue and leach liquor after 24 hours, with a fire assay finish used for gold and an ICP finish used for cyanide liquor. The selected intervals were representative of the mineralisation targeting transitional into fresh mineralisation on one cross section central to the zone of gold mineralisation at Sheoak.

The company noted that the Sheoak gold system currently extends at least 600 metres in length and remains open at depth to both the north and south. Further and more detailed metallurgical work is planned once the size and extent of the mineralised system has been more fully delineated, a process which will require additional infill and extensional drilling.

Auravelle outlined a program of continuing exploration activity across its portfolio. At the Crown prospect, results from recent soil sampling conducted in August and September 2026 are expected. Across the broader Nuckulla Hill regional targets, an aircore drilling program is scheduled to test soil and structural targets from early September 2026.

At Nuckulla Hill specifically, RC drilling of Sheoak for infill and extension purposes is planned for mid-to-late September 2026. Separately, at the company's Skye project, results from first-pass soil sampling intended to generate future drill targets are expected in late September 2026.

Conclusion

The preliminary metallurgical testwork at Sheoak provides an initial indication that gold mineralisation within the prospect responds favourably to conventional processing methods, with average recoveries of 90.5% recorded across the tested intervals. The company has characterised further metallurgical characterisation as contingent on additional drilling to better define the extent of the mineralised system, which remains open at depth. Auravelle's exploration calendar through September 2026 includes aircore and RC drilling programs across Nuckulla Hill and its Skye project, with several rounds of results anticipated over the coming weeks.