Ausgold’s Permitting Progress: Can Katanning Avoid Environmental Hurdles Ahead?

Priority Approvals Program Boosts Permitting Momentum

Ausgold Limited has secured a significant regulatory advantage for its 100%-owned Katanning Gold Project (KGP) by being selected for Western Australia’s newly established Priority Approvals Program. This initiative, led by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, aims to streamline and coordinate cross-agency approvals for projects deemed critical to the state’s development. For Ausgold, this means a dedicated senior Case Manager will facilitate parallel processing of permits, potentially reducing bureaucratic delays that often hamper mining projects.

The KGP’s location on predominantly cleared, freehold land and its relatively low technical risk profile were key factors in its selection. Moreover, the project’s potential to diversify and boost the Great Southern economy aligns well with government priorities, underscoring its strategic importance.

Environmental Approvals Progress

This week, Ausgold lodged a Section 38 Environmental Protection Act referral with the Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority, a critical step in securing state environmental approvals. Concurrently, the Federal Government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water is conducting an ‘Assessment on Preliminary Documentation’ for the project. This level of assessment suggests the project’s environmental impacts are expected to be manageable and recoverable.

To address federal requirements, Ausgold is undertaking additional fauna surveys in adjacent bushland areas, with results due in the first quarter of 2026. These surveys will inform mitigation strategies and are a vital component of the federal permitting process.

Looking Ahead, Key Milestones and Investment Decision

Ausgold has outlined a clear timeline of upcoming catalysts that will shape the project’s trajectory. Initial assay results from a substantial 44,000-metre drilling campaign are expected in the final quarter of 2025, alongside finalising a workforce accommodation lease. By mid-2026, the company aims to award key construction contracts, secure project financing mandates, and make a Final Investment Decision (FID).

General Manager of Permitting and Approvals, Troy Collie, expressed optimism about the project’s momentum, highlighting the government’s facilitation as a positive development. The FID targeted for June 2026 will be a pivotal moment, determining the pace and scale of the Katanning Gold Project’s development.

Strategic Implications

The inclusion in the Priority Approvals Program not only accelerates permitting but also signals strong government support, which can be a significant confidence booster for investors and stakeholders. While the project still faces typical risks, such as environmental survey outcomes and financing conditions, the current progress positions Ausgold well to advance towards production.