High-grade gold discovered in the Murchison

By Chloe Coutinho

Monday, 9 February 2026

Exploration & DiscoveryNews

Golden Dragon Mining’s (ASX: GDR) exploration program has intersected high-grade gold close to surface at an advanced gold target within the greater Cue gold project in WA.

The MOU supports Metallium’s plan to develop a national network of e-waste processing facilities, strategically located near major e-waste collection hubs, rapidly expanding U.S. data centre industrial parks and regional industrial corridors with strong logistics and waste generation.

NMG says gold mineralisation seen at Lydia is similar to the Crown Prince deposit.

Exploration & DiscoveryNews

NMG looks to bring Lydia online

NMG looks to bring Lydia online New Murchison Gold (ASX: NMG) has returned high grade gold results from the Lydia gold prospect, the miner’s next potential addition near Meekatharra, WA.The RC drill program consisted of 33 holes totalling 2920m and returned high-grade gold intercepts including 3m at 32.9g/t gold from 46m, including 1m at 62.4g/t gold.Lydia sits on granted mining lease M51/889 and is covered by the same Native Title and Heritage Agreement which guides the cultural and heritage arrangements for the Crown Prince gold mine.NMG says the results are encouraging and open up the opportunity to prove up additional reserves within close proximity of the current Crown Prince gold operations.“We are very pleased to provide this exploration update including high grade results for the Lydia gold prospect,” NMG chief executive Alex Passmore said.“Lydia sits on a granted mining lease very close to the Crown Prince operation. We believe we can leverage off existing infrastructure (offices, maintenance facility, crusher and sampling preparation facility) to bring Lydia online relatively quickly,” he said.“NMG is working towards including Lydia into its resources and reserves inventory.”Additional deeper RC drilling will be undertaken along the Lydia South Shear Zone to test the potential for high grade gold.

Broken Hills Mines (ASX: BHM) has continued to ramp up operations at its Rasp silver-lead-zinc mine.

Exploration & DiscoveryNews

Broken Hill ramps up, Rasp renewal lands

Broken Hills Mines (ASX: BHM) has continued to ramp up operations at its Rasp silver-lead-zinc mine.BHM’s preliminary production summary shows strong growth for the March quarter, with silver production up 51.7%, lead production up 48.5% and zinc production up 7.9%.This uplift reflects the company’s progressive ramp up strategy. BHM is continuing to increase production to full capacity of its 750,000tpa processing plant via the supply of two additional ore feeds to complement existing long term Western Min ore supply.Operations from the main lode have been established, with stoping ore volumes expected to materially increase through the June and September quarters. Ore from the second feed, Pinnacles, is expected to begin supplying in the June quarter.BHM has also secured a long-term renewal of its CML7 mining lease at Rasp, extending operations until 2047.Exploration licence applications under its joint venture with Kingfisher Mining Limited (ASX: KFM) have been granted and are valid until 2032.

7f18da0f-b19a-4b07-9dcf-ac2010b616c9

Exploration & DiscoveryNews

Havieron ore reserve climbs to third largest in Australia

reatland Resources’ (ASX: GGP) Havieron feasibility study confirms the project’s potential as a world-class gold-copper mine capable of generating an annual pre-tax free cashflow of $739m.

shutterstock_2046452930 (3)

Exploration & DiscoveryNewsPeople & Workforce

Alcoa backs out of Perth Hills bauxite plans

Alcoa Australia (ASX: AAI) has removed areas in the Perth Hills from proposed exploration plans due to “local stakeholder and community feedback”.

The WA CME has previously highlighted the need for turnkey industrial areas in its report on risks to WA’s investment-readiness.

WA CME: energy transition firing gun started; WA stranded in starting blocks

The WA Chamber of Minerals and Energy (CME) released its Pre-Budget Submission (PBS), providing a comprehensive blueprint for the State Government to support the ongoing competitiveness of the resources sector and attract new investment and industries. Containing more than 80 recommendations, the 2025-26 PBS focuses on five key policy areas: competitive fiscal settings, efficiency in regulation, energy security and transition, regional economic development and fostering a safe, diverse and productive workforce. WA CME chief executive Rebecca Tomkinson says falling commodity prices — including iron ore, lithium and nickel — has coincided with rising energy, labour, construction and shipping freight costs which creates a challenging operating environment. “Urgent action is required in a range of areas to ensure WA does not…

Magmatic will continue to conduct exploration activities as directed by the exploration committee and prior to the operatorship end date are entitled to a 10% operator’s fee.

Magmatic and FMG fund copper-gold JV

Magmatic Resources (ASX: MAG) and Fortescue (ASX: FMG) have set a $3.5m exploration budget for their Myall project in NSW for FY26. Work will be focused on a significant air core and diamond drill program, with drill planning in progress. The first stage of the joint venture involves Fortescue earning up to a 51% initial interest in the Myall project. This is subject to Fortescue fulfilling its minimum obligation to spend $3m on exploration including 3000m of drilling within the first two years of the agreement. Fortescue must also spend an additional $3m on exploration in the first 4-year period of the joint venture. Magmatic Resources managing director David Richardson comments on the agreement. “The agreed 12 month $3.5m budget…

In addition to enhancing skills development, the Institute will establish itself as a strategic hub for mining education in Asia, benefiting the local Mongolian mining community and contributing to the global mining workforce.

Rio Tinto launches Underground Mass Mining Institute

Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO), in collaboration with The University of Queensland, has marked the official launch of the South Gobi Underground Mass Mining Institute (SGUMMI) with a visit by the President of Mongolia to the Oyu Tolgoi mine. This institute offers a comprehensive, world class training program designed for both local and international mining professionals utilising the Oyu Tolgoi copper mine as practical training hub. In recent years, there has been a significant decline in the number of students studying in mining engineering, leading to a shortage of highly skilled mining professionals. The establishment of this underground mine training program aims to address the skills gap in the industry and elevate Mongolia’s mining industry on the global stage. Mongolia President…

(Image source: Hard Hat Media) The Kathleen Valley project took around 15 months to construct. With an average of 35-40 workers on site (up to 75 workers at peak).

Renewables at their Zenith as Liontown lifts lithium with hybrid power project

WA Energy Minister Reece Whitby officially opened the Kathleen Valley hybrid power system, ushering in a new age of emissions free mining for the energy transition. The power system is the largest operating off-grid power system in Australia, designed, funded, built, owned and operated by Zenith Energy for Liontown Resources (ASX: LTR). The 95MW Kathleen Valley hybrid power system incorporates the nation’s largest off-grid wind farm utilising the largest land-based wind turbines in the country. This integrated solar farm, wind farm, battery and firming LNG power plant will enable the miner to operate with a minimum 60% emissions-free energy at its Goldfields hard rock lithium mine in WA. While more lithium — a key enabler for batteries and EVs —…