Latest Open Pit Mining News

Regis Resources maintained FY27 production and cost guidance after September rainfall cut first-quarter output to 83.0koz and pushed AISC to $3,617/oz. Cash and bullion still rose to $1.28 billion, although a large tax payment and dividend have created a significant near-term cash call.

Critica’s Jupiter Scoping Study points to a potentially large Western Australian rare earths operation with a modelled pre-tax NPV of A$2.7 billion and after-tax NPV of A$2.0 billion. The headline economics remain preliminary, rely on modelled pricing and tax incentives, and require about A$556 million in pre-production capital that has not yet been secured.

Santana Minerals has moved the Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project closer to development, with a draft Fast-track Approvals decision expected in the December quarter and a competitive project debt process now underway. Strong Rise and Shine drilling and an A$179.7 million quarter-end cash balance provide further support, although construction remains conditional on approvals, financing and a final investment decision.

Grange Resources has approved a lower-capital underground development at Savage River, targeting a 43% project IRR and production continuity to at least 2035. The Sub-Level Cave plan is designed to be funded from existing cash and operating cashflow while preserving the option of a larger Block Cave mine.

Cobre has outlined a three-stage plan to lift Sierra Atacama’s copper cathode capacity from its existing configuration to 18,000 tonnes per annum, then 25,000 tonnes, with a larger 50,000-tonne case under consideration. The targets depend on refurbishment, permitting, further drilling and resource modelling.

Meeka Metals has begun underground decline development at Fairway, its second mine at the Murchison Gold Project, with first ore targeted for January 2027. The project carries a 50koz initial Ore Reserve, while drilling below the planned mine points to potential reserve growth and a longer mine life.

Critica has converted 160 million tonnes of its Jupiter rare earths resource into the higher-confidence Indicated category after infill drilling across about 10% of the deposit. The upgrade comes ahead of a scoping study that is expected shortly, although most of Jupiter remains Inferred and no Ore Reserve has been declared.

Meeka Metals produced 7,237 ounces of gold in the September quarter, up 13% from the previous three months, while Andy Well underground ore continued to exceed reserve-grade expectations. Cash rose to $51 million as the company shifted from open-pit mining towards a two-underground-mine operation.

Everest Metals has converted part of its Mt Dimer gold resource from Inferred into higher-confidence Measured and Indicated categories, while mining has produced a 142,000-tonne stockpile ahead of planned toll treatment. The immediate test is whether that stockpile can become cash flow, while deeper drilling seeks to expand confidence below the current pit.

Axel REE is moving its Caladão rare earths project into the next technical test: exploratory in-situ recovery work at the Woolrich deposit. The company says bench-scale testing has recovered up to 560ppm soluble TREO, but field performance, groundwater behaviour and project economics remain unproven.

Forrestania Resources has outlined a maiden 223,300-ounce JORC Mineral Resource at Tampia, a previously mined deposit positioned 140km from the Edna May processing plant. The estimate gives the newly acquired Westonia Hub another potential ore source, but relies on an AUD 6,000/oz gold price assumption and includes 104,800 ounces classified as Inferred.

Alkane Resources has reported a transformational FY2026, with the Mandalay merger helping lift revenue to A$935.8 million and profit after tax to A$228.7 million. The enlarged gold and antimony producer has also declared its first dividend and approved a buy-back, while setting broadly stable production guidance for FY2027.