Native Mineral Resources (ASX:NMR) has cleared a key regulatory hurdle by submitting a Progressive Rehabilitation and Closure Plan for its Far Fanning Gold Project, while maintaining steady gold production at its Blackjack Gold Mine.
- PRCP lodged for Far Fanning under new Queensland environmental laws
- Far Fanning hosts 138,000 ounces inferred gold resource
- Blackjack gold pours total 363.6 ounces in late June
- Mining progresses towards higher-grade benches at Blackjack
- Ongoing drilling aims to upgrade Far Fanning resource
Regulatory Milestone for Far Fanning Gold Project
Native Mineral Resources Holdings Limited (ASX:NMR) has submitted a Progressive Rehabilitation and Closure Plan (PRCP) for its Far Fanning Gold Project to the Queensland Environment Department, marking a significant step in advancing the project’s development. The submission on 30 June 2026 follows recent amendments to Queensland’s Environmental Protection legislation, which now allow eligible mining activities to continue under existing Environmental Authorities while PRCP assessments are underway. This legislative clarity provides NMR with a smoother regulatory pathway to progress Far Fanning towards production.
Far Fanning, located 45 kilometres northeast of Charters Towers, holds a JORC 2012 Inferred Mineral Resource of 2.3 million tonnes at 1.84 grams per tonne gold, equivalent to 138,000 ounces. The project benefits from existing Environmental Authority coverage, historical mining infrastructure, and proximity to the operating Blackjack Processing Plant, positioning it as a cornerstone for future production growth within NMR’s Charters Towers Gold Project portfolio.
Drilling and Development Activities Continue
Alongside the PRCP submission, NMR is advancing exploration and site preparation at Far Fanning. A reverse circulation drilling program is ongoing, designed to enhance geological confidence and underpin resource updates and pit optimisation. The company intends to initially mine within the current disturbance footprint permitted by the existing Environmental Authority, with plans to seek amendments for expansion as resource modelling and mine planning mature.
Site establishment and stockpile haulage are progressing under an Environmental Enforcement Order, with diamond drilling completed in late May 2026. These activities underpin NMR’s strategy to establish Far Fanning as its second operating open pit mine, supplementing feed to the Blackjack Processing Plant and supporting the company’s broader production ambitions.
Consistent Gold Production at Blackjack Gold Mine
Meanwhile, operations at the Blackjack Gold Mine continue to deliver steady gold output, reflecting stable plant performance and advancing mining fronts. The official refinery outturn for the gold pour completed on 21 June confirmed 193.5 ounces of gold and 148.3 ounces of silver from 401.9 ounces of doré, maintaining the production momentum seen throughout June.
The subsequent pour on 28 June yielded 170.1 ounces of doré across two bars, with internal lab assays indicating gold purity ranging from 46% to 61%. The official refinery results for this batch are pending. These pours contribute to a sustained production run, with mining advancing towards higher-grade benches at Blackjack Mid Pit, South Pit, and Podosky, expected to enhance mill feed quality in the coming months.
Mining Progress Supports Production Growth
Mining operations have achieved key milestones, including the completion of a 315,000-tonne waste stripping campaign at Blackjack Mid Pit, opening access to mineralised zones. A production blast scheduled for 2 July targets approximately 20% of planned mill feed from this area. Similarly, a 35,000 bcm production blast at Blackjack South Pit was completed on 30 June, with mining underway to extract around 105,000 tonnes over the next month.
At the Podosky Pit, mining between RL282.5 and RL277.5 has been completed, totaling roughly 140,000 tonnes. The second of six planned production blasts at Bench 267.5 was executed on 25 June, with the next blast scheduled for 7 July to maintain momentum. Collectively, these efforts aim to secure a consistent supply of higher-grade ore to the Blackjack Processing Plant, underpinning ongoing production stability.
Next Steps and Outlook
NMR is poised to lodge the PRCP for its Blackjack Gold Mine imminently, further consolidating its regulatory framework across key assets. The outcomes of ongoing drilling at Far Fanning will be critical in refining resource estimates and guiding future Environmental Authority amendments to support mine expansion beyond current footprints.
As processing operations continue uninterrupted, the company’s focus remains on ramping up production and development activities across the Charters Towers Gold Project. Investors will be watching for the official refinery results from the recent gold pour and updates on resource modelling, which will provide clearer signals on NMR’s medium-term growth trajectory.
Bottom Line?
NMR’s regulatory progress at Far Fanning and steady Blackjack production reinforce its strategy to expand gold output, but upcoming resource updates and PRCP approvals will be pivotal.
Questions in the middle?
- How will ongoing drilling impact Far Fanning’s resource classification and mine plan?
- What timeline can be expected for PRCP approval and subsequent mine expansion at Far Fanning?
- Will higher-grade mining at Blackjack translate into sustained production gains in FY27?