Brightstar Partners with Aquirian to Advance Goldfields Hub Drill and Blast Services

Strategic Partnership Targets Goldfields Hub Efficiency

Brightstar Resources (ASX:BTR) has formalised a strategic framework agreement with Aquirian Limited (ASX:AQN) to provide all drilling and energetics services for its Goldfields Hub open pit operations. The initial term spans five years, signalling a long-term collaboration aimed at enhancing mining performance through integrated drill and blast solutions.

This partnership includes a three-year contract with Drillforce WA Pty Ltd, Aquirian’s wholly owned subsidiary, to service the Lord Byron open pit mine, scheduled to begin operations in the second half of 2026. Drillforce’s offering is distinguished by its proprietary Collar Keeper® System, fitted on brand-new Epiroc T45 rigs, which automates and refines the drilling process to optimise blast outcomes.

Technology and Safety at the Forefront

Drillforce operates Western Australia’s largest independent energetic material manufacturing and storage facility in Wubin, WA, providing a vertically integrated supply chain advantage. The patented Collar Keeper® technology is designed to balance fragmentation and ore preservation, a combination expected to reduce mining dilution and improve ore recovery. This precision approach also aims to enhance dig productivity and lower load and haul costs, critical levers for open pit mining margins.

Notably, the technology eliminates the use of traditional PVC piping in blastholes, cutting direct costs and mitigating risks of blockages and crusher downtime. Furthermore, the automated design reduces the need for manual intervention outside the drill rig, improving safety conditions for operators; a key focus for Brightstar’s operational ethos.

Operational and Financial Implications

Brightstar’s Managing Director, Alex Rovira, highlighted the value proposition of the collaboration, emphasising Aquirian’s data-driven and safety-conscious execution as vital to optimising blast performance and cost discipline. This aligns with Brightstar’s broader strategy to maximise sustainable production and margin outcomes across its Goldfields operations.

In parallel with these operational advances, Brightstar is exploring potential expansions of the Lord Byron open pit beyond the scope outlined in its January 2026 Feasibility Study, which forecasted production of over 75,000 ounces per annum for six years with robust financial metrics. The company’s recent $313M funding package underpins these ambitions, fully financing the Goldfields Project through to first gold production targeted for mid-2027.

Next Steps for Brightstar’s Goldfields Hub

With the strategic agreement now in place, the focus shifts to the practical rollout of Drillforce’s integrated services at Lord Byron later this year. The success of the Collar Keeper® technology in balancing ore fragmentation and preservation will be closely watched as a potential differentiator in open pit mining efficiency. Brightstar’s ability to translate these operational gains into consistent production and margin improvements will be critical as it advances towards its mid-2027 production target.