Central Iron Ore Limited has filed an updated NI 43-101 Technical Report for its British King Gold Project in Western Australia, revealing a significant resource upgrade and confirming strong metallurgical performance.
- Updated Mineral Resource Estimate of 311,800 tonnes at 6.20 g/t Au
- Total contained gold of 62,200 ounces classified as Indicated and Inferred
- 78-hole RC drilling program completed in mid-2025 expanded geological confidence
- Metallurgical tests confirm amenability to standard carbon-in-leach processing with over 90% recovery
- Environmental and heritage surveys completed; further studies recommended for mine readiness
Resource Upgrade and Drilling Campaign
Central Iron Ore Limited (CIO) has announced a substantial update to the Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for its British King Gold Project, located in the northeastern Goldfields of Western Australia. The latest NI 43-101 Technical Report, effective 23 October 2025, details a resource of 311,800 tonnes grading 6.20 grams per tonne gold, equating to 62,200 ounces of contained gold. This represents a significant increase compared to the previous March 2025 estimate, driven by a comprehensive 78-hole reverse circulation (RC) drilling program completed earlier this year.
The drilling campaign, spanning over 10,000 metres, was designed to improve geological and grade confidence, particularly targeting the delineation of open pit resources. The program successfully extended mineralisation down-dip and refined the understanding of the deposit’s geometry, resulting in a 63% increase in contained ounces compared to the prior estimate.
Metallurgical Test Work Validates Processing Approach
Complementing the resource upgrade, metallurgical test work conducted on oxide, transitional, and fresh ore samples has confirmed the British King mineralisation is amenable to conventional gravity and carbon-in-leach (CIL) processing. The tests, supervised by JT Metallurgy and performed at Bureau Veritas Perth, demonstrated gold recoveries exceeding 90%, with low reagent consumption and manageable physical ore properties. These results align well with processing capabilities of nearby toll treatment plants, enhancing the project’s economic viability.
Strategic Location and Infrastructure
The British King Project benefits from proximity to existing mining infrastructure and processing facilities, including the Vault Minerals Darlot and King of the Hills plants, as well as Northern Star’s Thunderbox operation. Access is facilitated by sealed and well-maintained roads, and power supply options include nearby gas pipelines and renewable energy microgrids. Existing site infrastructure at British King, currently under care and maintenance, provides a foundation for potential future development.
Environmental and Heritage Considerations
Environmental reconnaissance surveys have been completed, indicating that vegetation and fauna impacts are manageable, with no priority or threatened species identified within the project area. Heritage surveys have cleared key exploration zones, though further heritage and hydrogeological studies are recommended to support mining proposal submissions. The project area is not currently subject to Native Title claims, reducing potential regulatory hurdles.
Next Steps Towards Mine Readiness
While the updated resource and metallurgical data strengthen the project’s outlook, Central Iron Ore acknowledges that additional technical studies, including heritage, hydrogeology, geotechnical assessments, and mining studies, are necessary to advance British King to a mining-ready status. The company aims to submit a mining proposal to the Western Australian Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS) following completion of these studies.
Bottom Line?
With a robust resource upgrade and positive metallurgical results, British King is poised for advancement, but key studies remain before mining can commence.
Questions in the middle?
- What timeline is Central Iron Ore targeting for completing heritage, hydrogeology, and mining studies?
- How will toll treatment agreements with nearby processing plants be structured and priced?
- What are the potential economic outcomes once a full feasibility study is completed?