LION One Metals Ltd. has begun upgrading drilling operations at its Tuvatu gold mine in Fiji, as part of a broader push to stabilise production and strengthen long-term performance.
The company said it has commenced a significant overhaul of its drill fleet, replacing ageing underground rigs that had exceeded their operational lifespan and constrained drilling output since mid-2025. The existing fleet will be replaced with three new high-performance underground drill rigs and an additional surface rig.
Initial improvements have already been recorded, with underground drilling metres per shift doubling following enhanced maintenance support and technical oversight. A track-mounted surface drill rig began operations on March 14 to support in-mine and near-mine drilling during the wet season, with plans to shift to wider exploration during the dry season.
Lion One said it is also in advanced negotiations to acquire four new underground drill rigs, targeting drilling rates of at least 25 metres per shift, compared with less than 10 metres earlier this year and 12 to 18 metres currently.
The company said improved drilling capacity would provide the geological data needed to support mine design, grade control and production scheduling, as well as enable multiple mining areas to be developed simultaneously.
The drilling upgrade forms part of what the company described as “Phase 2” of Tuvatu’s development, following the transition from initial production to building a more resilient and predictable mining operation.
In a separate update, Lion One reported February gold production of 813 ounces, bringing year-to-date output to 9,180 ounces.
The processing plant milled 10,267 tonnes of ore at an average grade of 3.49 grammes per tonne, with a recovery rate of 77.3 percent. The company said recovery rates are expected to improve with the near-completion of a flotation plant.
Underground development totalled 120 metres during the month, below the 188-metre target, with performance affected by equipment availability and compressed air constraints. The company said these issues are being addressed through the commissioning of new equipment, improved maintenance planning and ventilation upgrades.
Lion One said safety performance remained strong, with no lost-time injuries recorded in February and enhancements made to on-site medical facilities, including the addition of a full-time nurse.
Exploration drilling totalled 2,369 metres across four rigs during the month, with results including an intercept of 5.15 metres at 9.18 grammes per tonne gold.
The company said its current focus is on improving operational reliability, increasing development rates and enhancing plant performance, while maintaining safety and advancing infrastructure and environmental management initiatives.
Lion One operates the Tuvatu alkaline gold project within the Navilawa caldera and is seeking to expand both production and resource confidence as it progresses its next phase of development.
