Emerald Resources NL has announced a significant update to its Dingo Range Gold Project in Western Australia, increasing its mineral resource to 1.41 million ounces of gold and securing full mining permits ahead of planned development in 2026.
- Updated mineral resource of 40.9Mt at 1.1g/t Au for 1.41Moz
- High-grade zones included with 24.2Mt at 1.4g/t Au for 1.12Moz
- Project fully permitted with Mining Proposal, Closure Plan, and Clearing Permit approved
- Ongoing drilling to test underground potential and resource extensions
- Maiden ore reserve to support final feasibility studies and development
Resource Upgrade and Project Potential
Emerald Resources NL has delivered a substantial update to its Dingo Range Gold Project, located in Western Australia’s prolific goldfields. The company reported a combined Measured, Indicated, and Inferred Mineral Resource of 40.9 million tonnes grading 1.1 grams per tonne gold, equating to 1.41 million ounces of contained gold. This marks a notable increase from previous estimates and includes a higher-grade subset of 24.2 million tonnes at 1.4 grams per tonne for 1.12 million ounces.
The resource upgrade reflects extensive drilling efforts, with over 2,300 holes and nearly 294,000 metres drilled, including recent infill and extensional programs focused on key deposits such as Boundary and Neptune. These results underpin the project’s robust geological continuity and highlight significant underground potential, particularly at the Boundary Prospect where high-grade intercepts have been recorded well below the current open pit limits.
Regulatory Milestones and Development Pathway
Importantly, Emerald has secured full regulatory approvals for mining activities at Dingo Range. The Mining Proposal, Mine Closure Plan, and Clearing Permit were all approved by the Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration in December 2025, with the Project Works Approval expected imminently in early 2026. This regulatory progress clears a critical hurdle, enabling the company to advance development plans confidently.
Emerald’s Managing Director, Morgan Hart, emphasised the significance of these milestones, noting that the updated resource and permits position Dingo Range as the company’s first standalone mining and processing operation in Australia. The forthcoming maiden ore reserve will provide the economic foundation for final feasibility studies and project financing.
Exploration and Growth Prospects
The company’s exploration strategy remains aggressive, with ongoing drilling programs scheduled throughout 2026. These will focus on expanding open pit resources and delineating underground mineralisation, particularly targeting down-plunge extensions beneath the Boundary deposit. The project’s resource remains open at depth and along strike, suggesting further growth potential.
Beyond Dingo Range, Emerald continues to leverage its expertise with significant exploration upside in both Australia and Cambodia. The Okvau Gold Mine in Cambodia, commissioned on time and budget in 2021, has produced approximately 450,000 ounces of gold to date. Additionally, the Memot Project in Cambodia offers a substantial open pit resource of 1.7 million ounces, complementing the company’s growth pipeline.
Technical Confidence and Operational Readiness
The resource update adheres to the 2012 JORC Code standards, supported by rigorous sampling, assaying, and geological modelling. Emerald’s technical team, led by experienced geologists and mining engineers, has applied industry-standard drilling and assay protocols, ensuring high confidence in the resource estimates. Metallurgical test work confirms the ore is free milling with high gold recoveries, supporting a straightforward processing flowsheet.
With a strong cash position and a proven track record of delivering projects on time and budget, Emerald is well placed to transition Dingo Range from resource definition to production. The company’s commitment to environmental and social governance, including carbon-neutral operations in Cambodia, further enhances its operational credentials.
Bottom Line?
As Emerald Resources prepares to unlock Dingo Range’s full potential, the market will be watching closely for the maiden ore reserve and upcoming drilling results that could redefine the project’s scale and economics.
Questions in the middle?
- When will Emerald release the maiden ore reserve and what will it reveal about project economics?
- How will ongoing drilling results impact the potential for underground mining at Boundary?
- What are the implications of current gold price volatility on Dingo Range’s development timeline?