Native Mineral Resources has poured its first 315 ounces of gold doré since restarting mining at Blackjack, signalling a grade uplift and improved production. Meanwhile, the Podosky project advances with site establishment and fleet mobilisation on track for late April ore delivery.
- 315oz gold doré poured from freshly mined Blackjack South Stage 2a material
- Plant recovery steady at 94%-96% with 84% mill utilisation
- Podosky site infrastructure and mining fleet operational
- First ore haulage from Podosky to Blackjack expected late April
- Dual feed sources to support blend optimisation and production growth
Blackjack Restart Yields Early Gold Production
Native Mineral Resources Holdings (ASX:NMR) has marked a significant step in its 2026 gold production campaign with the smelting of five doré bars totalling approximately 315 ounces at its Blackjack processing plant in Queensland. This milestone, achieved on 22 April 2026, represents the first gold output from freshly mined Blackjack South Stage 2a material since mining resumed on 9 April.
The 315 ounces add to the cumulative 530 ounces produced in April, including two earlier bars smelted on 8 April. Overall, since the plant's recommissioning in mid-2025, Native Mineral Resources has poured roughly 8,272 ounces of doré, with 2,387 ounces of gold outturn confirmed to date. While official assay results for the latest pour are pending, the early figures suggest a promising grade uplift as higher-quality ore replaces lower-grade stockpiles.
Consistent Plant Performance Supports Production Gains
Plant metrics remain robust, with gold recovery rates steady between 94% and 96%, tailings gold content below 0.03 grams per tonne, and mill utilisation averaging 84%. These figures underpin confidence that the shift to fresher, higher-grade material from Blackjack South will translate into stronger gold production in the coming months.
This operational momentum follows recent drilling successes that confirmed high-grade gold zones at Blackjack, which helped justify the mining restart and feed strategy. The company’s recent diamond drilling results at Blackjack demonstrated significant gold intercepts, reinforcing expectations for improved feed grades and production profiles.
Podosky Site Establishment Advances on Schedule
Parallel to Blackjack’s production ramp-up, Native Mineral Resources has mobilised its mining fleet and established site infrastructure at the Podosky project, located 75 kilometres east of Blackjack. The site now features operational offices, power generation, water storage, and earthmoving equipment, with initial drill and blast activities underway.
First ore haulage from Podosky to Blackjack’s run-of-mine pad is slated for late April, aligning with the company’s earlier guidance. This second feed source is expected to provide greater flexibility in blending ore grades, enabling optimisation of plant performance and supporting the company’s aim to progressively increase gold output through 2026.
Notably, Podosky’s development has been underpinned by a recent $4 million unsecured loan facility arranged to fund acquisition and mining rights, helping Native Mineral Resources avoid equity dilution during this critical expansion phase.
Strategic Implications for Production Growth
By operating dual feed sources from Blackjack South and Podosky, Native Mineral Resources is positioning itself to better manage ore grade variability and maximise recovery. This approach aims to sustain and potentially accelerate production gains beyond the initial doré pours, a key consideration as the company navigates the remainder of 2026.
While assay results for the latest doré bars remain pending, the combination of steady plant metrics, confirmed high-grade drilling, and timely project execution at Podosky presents a cautiously optimistic outlook for Native Mineral Resources’ gold production trajectory.
Bottom Line?
Native Mineral Resources is executing a carefully staged production ramp-up, with early gold pours and Podosky’s imminent ore delivery setting the stage for potential growth in 2026.
Questions in the middle?
- Will official assay results confirm the expected grade uplift from Blackjack South Stage 2a?
- How will the addition of Podosky ore impact blend optimisation and overall plant throughput?
- Can Native Mineral Resources sustain or improve recovery rates as feed sources diversify?