New Murchison Crushes First Ore, Eyes 40,000 Tonnes Monthly Run Rate

From Explorer to Producer

New Murchison Gold Limited (ASX – NMG) has reached a pivotal milestone with the commencement of production at its Crown Prince Gold Mine in Western Australia. This achievement comes ahead of the anticipated September 30, 2025, start date outlined in the Ore Purchase Agreement with Big Bell Gold Operations, a subsidiary of Westgold Resources. The first 10,000 tonnes of gold-bearing ore have been crushed, assayed, and stockpiled, signaling the company’s evolution from exploration to active gold production.

Strategic Partnership Accelerates Progress

The ore is currently being trucked 36 kilometres to Westgold’s Bluebird processing facility, leveraging Westgold’s established infrastructure to fast-track New Murchison’s entry into production. Westgold’s Managing Director, Wayne Bramwell, highlighted the capital-efficient nature of this collaboration, which combines the strengths of a major mining operator with a dynamic junior explorer. This partnership model not only reduces upfront capital expenditure but also positions New Murchison to benefit from Westgold’s extensive processing capabilities.

Production Targets and Growth Prospects

New Murchison aims to ramp up production to a monthly run rate of 40,000 tonnes of ore by September or October 2025. This target aligns with the company’s earlier feasibility study and maiden Ore Reserve announcement for the Crown Prince deposit, which underpinned the decision to develop the mine earlier this year. CEO Alex Passmore expressed optimism about the company’s growth trajectory, emphasizing the favourable timing amid record Australian dollar gold prices.

Regional Potential and Future Outlook

The Crown Prince Gold Mine is part of the broader Garden Gully Gold Project, a substantial tenure package covering key gold-bearing structures in the prolific Murchison goldfield near Meekatharra. With multiple deposits along the Abbotts Greenstone Belt, New Murchison’s regional portfolio offers further exploration and development upside. The company’s transition to production at Crown Prince sets a foundation for potential expansion and value creation in the near term.

Market Implications

This operational milestone is likely to enhance New Murchison’s market profile, shifting investor perception from speculative exploration to tangible production and revenue generation. However, the ramp-up phase will be critical to monitor, as operational execution and ore quality will directly impact financial outcomes. The ongoing collaboration with Westgold also provides a template for efficient resource development in the region.