Gibb River Diamonds has secured a key mining lease at its Edjudina Gold Project and lodged a mining proposal to kickstart operations at the Neta Prospect, alongside announcing a new JORC Inferred Resource for historic leach pads.
- Mining lease M31/495 granted at Edjudina Gold Project
- Mining proposal lodged for small-scale operations at Neta Prospect
- JORC Inferred Resource announced for historic leach pads
- Heritage survey planned for 2025 to support mining activities
- Ellendale Diamond Project production progressing with granted leases
Edjudina Gold Project, Securing the Foundations
Gibb River Diamonds Limited has made significant strides in advancing its Edjudina Gold Project in Western Australia during the March 2025 quarter. The company secured mining lease M31/495, a critical parcel covering the main JORC resource at the Neta Prospect. This lease acquisition marks a pivotal step towards the company’s objective of monetising its gold resources through mining operations.
Alongside the lease grant, Gibb River lodged a Mining Proposal for Small Mining Operations with the Western Australian Department of Mines. This proposal aims to permit mining activities at Neta, including haulage and processing via toll treatment at third-party mills, pending commercial contracts. The company emphasises this as its current priority, signalling imminent operational progress.
Expanding Resource Base and Heritage Planning
In a complementary development, Gibb River announced a JORC Inferred Resource for historic heap leach pads located on the Edjudina Project. These pads represent an additional gold resource accessible for mining, potentially providing early feedstock to processing facilities. The leach pads are well-positioned for straightforward extraction and transport, enhancing operational feasibility.
Recognising the importance of community and regulatory engagement, the company is working closely with the West Australian Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (WTAC) to finalise a heritage survey scheduled for 2025. This survey is expected to facilitate mining and exploration activities by addressing cultural heritage considerations, a critical step in advancing the project responsibly.
Exploration and Expansion Prospects
Gibb River is also actively assessing new exploration targets on the recently acquired mining lease M31/481, adjacent to the Neta Prospect. This under-explored area contains extensive historic workings dating back to 1897, indicating potential for further gold discoveries. The company’s exploration efforts here could expand the resource base and enhance the project’s long-term value.
Ellendale Diamond Project and Uranium Ventures
Beyond gold, Gibb River is progressing its Ellendale Diamond Project, with granted mining leases and historic diamond stockpiles supporting a scalable production restart. The company is collaborating with a strategic partner to re-establish diamond mining operations, leveraging existing infrastructure and resources.
Meanwhile, the Erongo Uranium Project in Namibia remains in the permit application phase. The company has completed and submitted Environmental Clearance Certificates but faces some ambiguity regarding tenure in the far-eastern portion of its permit area. Clarification from Namibian authorities is pending, and the timing of permit grants remains uncertain.
Financial Position and Outlook
Gibb River ended the quarter with $944,000 in cash, reflecting ongoing expenditure on exploration and development activities. The company continues to manage its portfolio with a focus on advancing permitting and operational readiness at Edjudina and Ellendale, while monitoring regulatory progress in Namibia.
Bottom Line?
With key permits secured and resources defined, Gibb River Diamonds is poised for operational progress, though regulatory and commercial milestones remain critical.
Questions in the middle?
- When will the mining proposal at Neta Prospect receive final approval and enable production?
- What are the prospects and timelines for securing toll milling contracts for gold processing?
- How will the heritage survey outcomes impact the pace and scope of exploration and mining at Edjudina?