Lady Shenton Open Pit Approved: 352,000 Ounces Ready for Production
Brightstar Resources has secured key regulatory approvals for the Lady Shenton open pit mine in Menzies, positioning the company to accelerate production within its Goldfields Hub. The deposit is now 'mine ready' and will feed into Brightstar’s planned Laverton processing plant.
- Mining Development and Closure Proposal approved for Lady Shenton open pit
- Native vegetation clearing permit already secured, enabling immediate mining
- Lady Shenton deposit contains 352,000 ounces of gold at 1.4 g/t grade
- Updated mine plans to be incorporated into upcoming DFS2.0 study
- Final investment decision for Goldfields Hub targeted for March 2026
Regulatory Green Light for Lady Shenton
Brightstar Resources Limited (ASX, BTR) has reached a significant milestone with the Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration granting approval for the Mining Development and Closure Proposal (MDCP) at its Lady Shenton open pit mine, located within the Menzies Goldfields Hub in Western Australia. This approval, combined with an already secured native vegetation clearing permit, means the Lady Shenton deposit is now fully 'mine ready' and poised to commence production.
Strategic Asset within a Growing Portfolio
The Lady Shenton deposit holds an estimated 352,000 ounces of gold at a grade of 1.4 grams per tonne, representing a low capital expenditure, high-margin opportunity for Brightstar. The company plans to mine and haul ore from Lady Shenton to its proposed Carbon-in-Leach (CIL) processing plant in Laverton, integrating this operation into its broader Goldfields Hub development strategy.
Looking Ahead, DFS2.0 and Production Plans
Brightstar is preparing an updated Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS2.0) that will incorporate revised mine plans for both Lady Shenton and the nearby Yunndaga underground deposit. This study is expected to provide a comprehensive development update and timeline, with a final investment decision (FID) targeted for the March quarter of 2026. The DFS2.0 will be critical in outlining production profiles and capital requirements for the next phase of growth.
Positioned for Growth Amid Strong Gold Prices
Managing Director Alex Rovira emphasised the strategic importance of this approval, noting that Lady Shenton complements Brightstar’s existing operations, including two owner-operated underground mines producing 30,000 to 35,000 ounces annually. With a total Mineral Resource base exceeding 4 million ounces across granted mining leases, Brightstar aims to evolve into a mid-tier gold producer by developing both the Goldfields and Sandstone projects over the coming years.
Balancing Opportunity and Risk
While the regulatory progress is encouraging, investors should note that the company’s forward-looking statements carry inherent uncertainties, including the conversion of mineral resources to economically viable ore reserves and market conditions. The upcoming DFS2.0 will shed more light on these factors and the operational readiness of the projects.
Bottom Line?
Brightstar’s Lady Shenton approval unlocks near-term production potential, setting the stage for a pivotal DFS update and a March 2026 investment decision.
Questions in the middle?
- What are the detailed capital and operating cost estimates in the upcoming DFS2.0?
- How will Lady Shenton’s production integrate with Brightstar’s Laverton processing plant capacity?
- What are the risks and timelines associated with converting inferred resources into mineable reserves?
