Fish Mine Development Advances 400m Underground; First Ore Stoping Set for Sept Quarter

Underground Development on Track

Brightstar Resources Limited (ASX – BTR) has reported steady progress at its Fish Underground Mine, part of the company’s Laverton Hub in Western Australia. Since mining operations began in April 2025, over 400 metres of underground development has been completed, including decline and capital development, with first ore from stoping targeted for the September quarter. This milestone will mark Fish as Brightstar’s second active underground operation in the region, complementing the existing Second Fortune mine.

Expanding Resource Potential Through Drilling

In parallel with mining, Brightstar has initiated a surface drilling campaign comprising eight reverse circulation and diamond drill holes, totaling 2,620 metres. The program targets extensions to the known mineralisation both at depth and along strike, including a notable high-grade intercept of 2.9 metres at 8.20 grams per tonne gold from 455 metres depth. Following this, an underground diamond drilling program is planned to further delineate deeper mineral resources, aiming to upgrade inferred resources to indicated status and support mine life extensions.

Infrastructure and Strategic Positioning

Site infrastructure is well established, with a 52-room camp completed and key facilities installed to support both the Fish Mine and the larger Lord Byron open pit project, which is targeted for operations in calendar year 2026. Ore from Fish will feed into Brightstar’s existing Ore Purchase Agreement with Genesis Minerals, allowing up to 500,000 tonnes of ore sales through 2025 and early 2026, underpinning the company’s production growth strategy.

Looking Ahead – Feasibility Studies and Broader Exploration

Brightstar is poised to release definitive feasibility studies for its Menzies and Laverton processing expansions in the coming weeks. These studies are expected to outline the viability of expanding the Laverton processing plant to accommodate ore from Fish and other deposits, reinforcing the company’s longer-term production plans. Additionally, exploration drilling continues at the Sandstone Gold Project and the Yunndaga deposit at Menzies, signaling a broad and systematic approach to resource growth across its portfolio.

Managing Director Alex Rovira emphasised the company’s dual focus on operational ramp-up and resource expansion, highlighting the potential to add high-grade ounces to the mine plan and extend the life of the Fish Mine. The ongoing drilling results and upcoming feasibility studies will be critical in shaping Brightstar’s development trajectory.