Ausgold Advances Katanning Project with Early Works and Modular Village

Construction and Engineering Momentum Builds

Ausgold Limited (ASX:AUC) is visibly ramping up development at its flagship Katanning Gold Project in Western Australia, aiming for a final investment decision (FID) by the end of 2026 and first gold production targeted for mid-2028. Siteworks have commenced, with modular building manufacture already 45% complete off-site and first deliveries expected early August. The initial accommodation modules are scheduled to be operational by November 2026, ensuring early workforce mobilisation immediately following FID.

The company has locked in key early works agreements with preferred engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor Lycopodium and build-own-operate power provider CrossBoundary Energy. These contracts cover detailed engineering, optimisation of construction methodologies, and development of a hybrid gas, solar and battery power station. Early progression of these workstreams aims to reduce execution risks and supply chain uncertainties, compressing the construction schedule post-FID.

Accommodation Village and Environmental Progress

Construction of the Katanning Workforce Accommodation Village is well underway on land leased long-term from the Shire of Katanning under an innovative partnership. Site establishment and civil works are progressing, with modular units fabricated off-site and poised for delivery. This accommodation infrastructure is critical to supporting the early construction workforce and minimising mobilisation risks.

Environmental permitting continues to advance positively despite additional information requests from the Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). Ausgold has completed all required flora and fauna surveys, including specialist trapdoor spider habitat assessments, which found no constraints within the development footprint. The project remains predominantly on cleared farmland, reinforcing a relatively modest environmental footprint. Ausgold has also commenced revegetation programs planting local native flora to mitigate off-site impacts such as noise and dust.

Parallel Drilling and Financing Activities

Alongside development works, Ausgold is progressing a 54,000-metre reverse circulation and diamond drilling campaign targeting resource growth, reserve conversion, and new discoveries across its 3,000 square kilometres of tenure in southwestern Western Australia. Additional assay results are expected shortly, which could underpin further confidence in early mine life areas.

Financing and commercial workstreams are advancing in parallel to support the targeted FID by year-end. This multi-pronged approach seeks to maintain momentum and position Katanning for seamless transition into construction and production phases.

Ausgold Executive Chairman John Dorward emphasised the disciplined strategy focusing on high-impact workstreams to reduce project risk and compress schedules. The company’s confidence in Katanning’s developability is bolstered by ongoing environmental assessments and regulatory engagement.