Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX:WGX) has kicked off mining operations at its South Junction Lode – part of the wider Bluebird-South Junction mining complex near Meekatharra in Western Australia.
With this addition, Westgold is aiming to push mining operations from the mining complex out to 100,000 per month by the third quarter of 2025, even as the company continues to extend the South Junction mineralised system through ongoing drilling work – with two rigs testing for this around 800 metres below the surface.
Recent intersections from this work have included 14.93 metres at 15.95 grams per tonne of gold, 6.83 metres at 15.31 grams per tonne, 13.00 metres at 3.65 grams per tonne, 11.42 metres at 4.92 grams per tonne, and 8.95 metres at 4.01 grams per tonne.
Managing Director and CEO Wayne Bramwell said this drilling would continue to unlock the protential of the whole Bluebird-South Junction complex.
“The commencement of mining on the South Junction Lode is a company milestone, achieved in short order by a focussed team,” he said.
“This lode is one of many mineralised lodes being tested across the Bluebird-South Junction mining complex, with the Polar Star Lode the next target to being evaluated.
“Westgold can now contemplate a significantly larger, multi-decline mining complex emerging on the doorstep of our 1.6-1.8 million tonne per annum (Mtpa) processing plant.”
“Each new mining front we define can increase mine output, with the continued expansion of Bluebird-South Junction providing new opportunities to reduce haulage and optimise processing infrastructure across our Murchison business.”
Westgold shares rose on the news. At 13:14 AEST, they were trading at $2.85 – a rise of 3.45% since the market opened.