Latitude66 (ASX: LAT) Jumps 38% as Laverton Deal Signals Evolution From Explorer to Developer

Latitude66 Soars 38% on Laverton Gold Acquisition, Marking Shift Toward Development

Latitude66 (ASX: LAT) surged 38% today following the announcement of its Laverton Gold Project acquisition, positioning itself as an emerging junior gold developer with a dual focus. The company is advancing two core fronts: near-term development and regional exploration at Laverton in Western Australia, and the progression of its gold assets in Finland, which are currently moving through the scoping stage.

The Laverton acquisition provides LAT with a strategic foothold in one of Western Australia’s most productive gold belts, surrounded by major operators such as AngloGold Ashanti, Brightstar, and Genesis Minerals. For investors, this move meaningfully strengthens LAT’s portfolio mix by balancing early exploration upside with tangible near-term production potential. The sharp share price reaction reflects growing market confidence that Latitude66 is beginning to transition from explorer to developer, though continued execution at both Laverton and its Finnish projects will be key to sustaining momentum.

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Latitude66’s Laverton Project Sits in the Heart of WA’s Gold Belt

The Laverton Gold Project is located within the Laverton Tectonic Zone, one of Western Australia’s most prolific gold regions, and sits within a 100 km radius of five operating or planned gold processing plants. Covering more than 250 square kilometres across 17 licences, the project offers both near-term production and exploration upside. Two of the licences, Red Dog and Tin Dog, are already approved for mining, while the remaining leases provide scope for ongoing regional discovery.

At the Red Dog deposit, Latitude66 has defined a JORC resource of approximately 13,500 ounces of gold at an average grade of 1.82 grams per tonne. The site also has a proven production history, with around 12,700 ounces previously mined from an open-pit operation that processed ore through AngloGold’s Sunrise Dam facility.

Latitude66 Secures 80% of Laverton Gold Project Through Staged, Low-Risk Deal

Latitude66 has executed two binding agreements to acquire an 80% interest in the Laverton Gold Project package. The company is structuring the acquisition in stages, investing a modest amount upfront to secure the project while deferring major payments until exploration results validate the opportunity. This approach limits downside risk, conserves capital, and ensures LAT only commits significant funding once the project’s potential is clearly demonstrated.

The Investor’s Takeaway for LAT

For investors, the Latitude66’s Laverton Gold Project represents a well-structured and strategically balanced acquisition, combining near-term production potential with long-term exploration leverage. The project offers immediate development optionality through Red Dog and Tin Dog, large-scale exploration upside across the broader Laverton Tectonic Zone corridor, and strong capital efficiency through a low-cost earn-in structure that preserves cash while de-risking entry.