Rox Resources has finished dewatering the Youanmi Main Pit and is advancing underground mining and infrastructure, positioning the project on track for production.
- Main Pit dewatering completed, historic decline exposed
- Record 342m underground advance at United North
- Processing plant earthworks and power station commissioning underway
- Major contracts awarded for power, earthworks, processing, and drilling
- Pathway to production remains on schedule with key milestones met
Main Pit Dewatering Marks Key Milestone
Rox Resources Limited (ASX:RXL) has successfully completed dewatering of the Youanmi Main Pit, exposing the historic Main Decline and revealing the pit floor for the first time in years. This achievement clears the way for underground mining access and signals a major step forward in the development of the Western Australian gold project. Pumping is now transitioning to underground dewatering via an initial borehole, preparing for the imminent start of mining at the Main and Pollard declines.
Underground Development Accelerates at United North
April saw a record 342 metres of underground advance at the United North decline, achieved with just a single development jumbo. This pace significantly outstrips the advance rates forecast in the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS), highlighting efficient progress on site. The first ventilation rise was successfully fired, and primary ventilation fans are due for installation shortly to enhance airflow and reduce mining restrictions. Early face sampling has intersected mineralisation consistent with model expectations, including a visually controllable ore lode grading above 4.99 grams per tonne gold, with higher-grade sections reaching 8.32 g/t Au.
This underground momentum builds on previous drilling success, as seen in the company's recent strong underground progress, reinforcing confidence in meeting production targets.
Infrastructure and Processing Plant Development
Supporting infrastructure is advancing rapidly. The power station for the Main Pit has been installed and is ready for commissioning, with power cable installation into the pit imminent. Bulk earthworks for the processing plant have commenced, with contractors mobilised and initial site preparation underway. Construction is scheduled to begin in June, following the mobilisation of the EPC contractor Interquip. Meanwhile, camp facilities have been expanded with 300 new rooms delivered, significantly increasing accommodation capacity for the workforce as mining activity ramps up.
Contract awards underpinning the project’s infrastructure include a Build Own Operate power station by Pacific Energy Pty Ltd, incorporating thermal, solar, and battery components, and bulk earthworks by Lambron Contracting. The Ultrafine Grind and Albion ProcessTM contract has been executed with Glencore Technology, with long-lead items ordered. K-Drill has been engaged for underground diamond drilling, expected to commence shortly with a focus on infill drilling to support mine planning.
Funding and Approvals Keep Project on Track
Youanmi’s pathway to production remains firmly on schedule. The project has secured $200 million in equity funding and $350 million in debt financing, with the latter finalized earlier this year. Mining Development and Closure Proposal (MDCP) approvals for the processing plant and associated infrastructure were received in March 2026, enabling construction to proceed. The Final Investment Decision was also approved by the board in March, clearing the way for full-scale development.
Rox Resources is currently reviewing further major contracts and advancing detailed mine planning and scheduling. The company is also preparing for diamond drilling to commence later this month, focusing on resource definition and infill drilling to refine the mine plan.
These developments follow a series of funding and approval milestones, including the $350 million debt financing and the Final Investment Decision approval, underscoring the project's steady progress toward production.
Ore Grades and Mineralisation Confirmed in Early Development
Sampling from the first ore lode accessed underground at the 2341mRL level confirms grades in line with geological models, with a mining width of 2.20 metres grading above 4.99 g/t Au. A higher-grade section of 0.50 metres at 8.32 g/t Au was identified along the footwall contact. A second ore lode has been crosscut and mapped, with assay results pending to determine grade continuity and potential enhancements along the shear footwall.
These early results provide a promising indication of the orebody's quality and support the planned ramp-up of ore drive development and stockpile building.
Bottom Line?
Rox Resources is methodically advancing Youanmi from pit dewatering to underground mining and infrastructure commissioning, with production milestones on the horizon but assay results and contract finalisations still to watch.
Questions in the middle?
- Will assay results from the second ore lode confirm higher-grade continuity?
- How will the installation of primary ventilation fans impact underground development rates?
- What is the timeline for processing plant construction and commissioning relative to mining progress?