Manuka Resources has begun crushing and screening at its Mt Boppy gold project, moving closer to restarting production at Wonawinta by June 2026. Initial gold processing will precede silver production, with key milestones largely complete.
- Crushing and haulage at Mt Boppy underway from March and April 2026
- First gold processing targeted for May-June quarter
- Silver deslime circuit installation progressing for silver production
- Production restart on track for Q2 2026
- Major approvals, refinancing, and upgrades completed
Crushing and Haulage Kick Off at Mt Boppy
Manuka Resources (ASX:MKR) has initiated crushing, screening, and haulage operations at its Mt Boppy gold project, marking a tangible step toward resuming production at the nearby Wonawinta processing facility. The company began processing gold-bearing plant feed in March 2026, with haulage to Wonawinta scheduled to start on 22 April. This activity supports the commissioning phase planned for May and June, aiming to generate early revenue from gold ahead of silver production.
Final Execution Phase Nears Completion
With the Care and Maintenance program wrapped up in early March, Manuka is now focused on commissioning and ramping up operations. Executive Chairman Dennis Karp highlighted the systematic progress, noting that the initial processing phase targets gold materials from Mt Boppy, followed by silver ores from Wonawinta. Key development milestones, including refinancing, securing approvals, and upgrading processing equipment such as the silver deslime circuit, are complete or nearing delivery, keeping the production timetable on track for Q2 2026.
This follows the company's recent announcement of a significant uplift in project valuation and mine planning at its Cobar Basin assets, which includes Mt Boppy and Wonawinta. The amended Pre-Feasibility Study detailed a robust 10-year mine plan and an A$805 million NPV boost, underpinning the confidence in the upcoming production restart and longer-term operations.
Production Milestones Through September 2026
Looking ahead, Manuka aims to complete commissioning and begin first gold processing by the end of the June quarter. The September quarter will focus on installing and commissioning plant upgrade equipment, initiating silver production and sales, and commencing silver ore mining. The company anticipates ramping up to nameplate production and steady cash flow generation thereafter.
The staged approach, starting with Mt Boppy gold feedstock and transitioning into silver processing, reflects a pragmatic path to revenue generation and operational stability. While the company has not disclosed detailed cost impacts or financial guidance yet, the progress on site and equipment upgrades signals a material operational shift toward full production.
Bottom Line?
Manuka’s steady execution of its restart plan positions it well for a June production milestone, but operational risks remain as commissioning progresses.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the upcoming reserve upgrade at Wonawinta impact production forecasts and mine life?
- What are the potential operational risks that could delay the commissioning timeline?
- How quickly can Manuka ramp silver production following the initial gold processing phase?