Metal Bank is fast-tracking production at its Livingstone Gold Project in WA, prioritising the Homestead and Winja deposits with drilling set to start in September 2026. This strategic pivot aims to leverage larger resources at Livingstone over earlier plans at Whiteheads.
- September drilling to support Homestead mine planning
- Mining Lease Applications lodged for Homestead, Winja, and Kingsley
- Livingstone hosts 122.5koz Au in JORC resources
- Shift from Seven Leaders to Livingstone for initial production
- Exploration upside at Kingsley East and Livingstone North
Drilling to Unlock Production at Homestead and Winja
Metal Bank Limited (ASX:MBK) is accelerating its pathway to production at the Livingstone Gold Project in Western Australia, with a diamond drilling program scheduled to commence in September 2026 at the Homestead deposit. The drilling campaign aims to collect vital geotechnical data and metallurgical samples to expedite mine planning and support the ongoing Mining Lease Application (MLA) for Homestead and Winja, which together hold a combined JORC 2012 Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of 1.129 million tonnes at 1.36 grams per tonne gold for 49,600 ounces, predominantly in the Indicated category.
Strategic Shift Prioritises Larger Resource Base at Livingstone
In a notable strategic recalibration, MBK has decided to prioritise production at Livingstone’s Homestead deposit over the previously planned Seven Leaders starter pit at its Whiteheads Project. The rationale hinges on Livingstone’s substantially larger resource base, with Homestead alone hosting 1 million tonnes at 1.35 g/t Au for 43,400 ounces, combined with the nearby Kingsley deposit’s inferred resource of 1.68 million tonnes at 1.35 g/t Au for 73,000 ounces. This pivot reflects the company’s ambition to build a more scalable gold production profile in WA, leveraging the broader Livingstone project’s global JORC resource of 2.81 million tonnes at 1.36 g/t Au for 122,500 ounces.
Kingsley Deposit Poised as Next Production Target
Following Homestead, MBK intends to progress the Kingsley deposit towards production. A Mining Lease Application for Kingsley was recently lodged and is advancing towards grant. Kingsley’s mineralisation extends over approximately 1.8 kilometres of strike length, with a resource model supporting conventional open-cut mining methods. Encouraging exploration targets at Kingsley East and the Livingstone North prospect provide additional upside, though these remain conceptual pending further drilling. Notably, Livingstone North has delivered promising drill results including 4 metres at 6.26 g/t Au from 21 metres downhole.
Continued Exploration and Development at Whiteheads
While the focus shifts to Livingstone for near-term production, MBK continues to advance exploration at Whiteheads. The Seven Leaders deposit, with a JORC 2012 resource of 138,000 tonnes at 1.4 g/t Au for 6,300 ounces, remains under evaluation alongside other prospects within the 380 square kilometre tenement package northeast of Kalgoorlie. The company is targeting resource growth at Whiteheads before commencing mining operations there.
Management Emphasises Scalable Growth and Value Creation
CEO Tim Gilbert highlighted the company’s assessment of economics and shareholder value, noting that the higher current gold price compared to the A$4,500 per ounce assumption used in previous resource estimations strengthens the case for accelerating Livingstone’s production plans. Gilbert remarked, "Livingstone offers a more compelling pathway to scalable gold production in WA," underscoring the potential to follow Homestead with Kingsley and further expansions. This approach aims to unlock significant exploration and production potential across MBK’s WA portfolio.
Bottom Line?
Metal Bank’s pivot to Livingstone signals a push for higher-scale gold production in WA, with September’s drilling results and mining lease progress set to define the near-term development trajectory.
Questions in the middle?
- Will drilling confirm geotechnical and metallurgical parameters to support a 2027 production start at Homestead?
- How quickly can the Kingsley Mining Lease be granted and production initiated following Homestead?
- What exploration success at Kingsley East and Livingstone North could materially expand Livingstone’s resource base?