Kingston Plans 40,000m Drilling and Accelerates Underground Mining at Mineral Hill

Kingston’s Strategic Pivot

Kingston Resources Limited (ASX – KSN) has unveiled an ambitious growth strategy for its Mineral Hill gold and copper mine in New South Wales, signalling a new chapter fueled by a significant cash injection from the recent sale of its Misima Gold Project. With an estimated $50 million received from the transaction, Kingston is poised to accelerate exploration and development activities, aiming to expand its resource base and increase processing throughput.

At the heart of this strategy is the largest exploration program at Mineral Hill in decades, featuring up to 40,000 metres of drilling over two years complemented by extensive geophysical and geochemical surveys. This program targets both near-mine extensions and regional prospects along the Mineral Hill trend and the broader Gilmore Suture Zone, areas known for their polymetallic potential.

Operational and Leadership Enhancements

To sharpen operational focus and support this growth, Kingston has appointed Melanie McCarthy as the new General Manager at Mineral Hill, bringing a wealth of underground mining and processing expertise. Meanwhile, current General Manager Geoff Merrell transitions to a new role overseeing growth initiatives across New South Wales, ensuring continuity and strategic oversight.

Underground mining, a key component of the company’s expansion, is now scheduled to commence in the December quarter of 2025, marking a significant acceleration from previous plans. This shift reflects confidence in the mine’s potential to deliver higher-grade polymetallic ore, which will supplement ongoing open pit operations.

Expanding the Resource and Processing Capacity

Kingston’s exploration and development efforts are designed to underpin a staged expansion of the Mineral Hill processing plant, which is currently permitted to handle up to 700,000 tonnes of ore annually; exceeding current production forecasts. The company is actively assessing opportunities to incorporate third-party ore feed through acquisitions, toll treatment, or joint ventures, aiming to maximise plant utilisation and cash flow.

Key exploration targets include the Southern Ore Zone, Parker’s Hill, Jack’s Hut, and regional prospects such as Bogong, Long Panel, Majuba, and Walker’s Hill. These areas exhibit promising geological and geophysical signatures, with historical drilling and surface sampling indicating potential for significant discoveries.

Outlook and Market Implications

Kingston’s Managing Director Andrew Corbett emphasises that the company is now positioned as a more robust gold and copper producer with a clear path to growth. The combination of a strengthened balance sheet, enhanced leadership, and a comprehensive exploration agenda could unlock substantial latent value at Mineral Hill, extending the mine life well beyond the current 2031 horizon.

While the company stops short of providing updated production guidance or detailed financial forecasts, the scale and scope of the announced initiatives suggest a transformative phase for Kingston. Investors and analysts will be watching closely for upcoming drilling results and economic studies that will validate the potential resource expansions and support future mine planning.