Maiden ore reserve released for South Junction

A maiden ore reserve has been released for Westgold Resources’ (ASX: WGX) South Junction mine, part of the Bluebird – South Junction mining complex in WA.

The South Junction maiden ore reserve reads 2.6mt @2.7g/t gold for 225koz.

As a result of the South Junction ore reserve, the overall ore reserve for the Bluebird – South Junction complex has increased 233% from the FY23 ore reserve to 3mt @2.8g/t gold for 277koz.

This increased ore reserve is underwritten by an updated mineral resource estimate for Bluebird – South Junction of 11mt @ 2.8g/t gold for 960koz, featuring a measured and indicated component of 4.7mt @3.1g/t gold for 465koz.

Two surface rigs and two underground drill rigs are currently operating at Bluebird – South Junction to extend and infill the mineral resource.

Westgold managing director and chief executive Wayne Bramwell commented on the release of the ore reserve.

“The maiden ore reserve for South Junction and the rapid expansion of the Bluebird-South Junction mining complex to a 1.2mtpa run rate by Q3 FY25 has been a remarkable success story and underpins the value in drilling,” he said.

“A larger, more productive Bluebird-South Junction underground mine is a game changer for our Murchison business.

“It will reduce the requirement and cost of road haulage of ore from Cue as the Bluebird – South Junction complex is within 2km of the nearby Bluebird mill.”

Mining at South Junction is scheduled to begin later this month to underwrite future updates for the mineral resource estimate and ore reserve.