Northern Star suffers 20,000oz hit to gold sales 

Northern Star (ASX: NST) expects a 20,000oz impact to its Q2 FY26 sales due to operational disruptions at Jundee and South Kalgoorlie early in the quarter. 

The miner says the affected volumes will be processed over the remainder of FY26. 

In Q1, gold sold totalled 381,000oz with all in sustaining costs of $2,522/oz. 

Northern Star has maintained its FY26 guidance of 1.7moz-1.85moz gold sold with all in sustaining costs in the range of $2,300-2,700/oz. 

Northern Star managing director Stuart Tonkin says Q1 delivered a mixed performance across the portfolio. 

“Our Kalgoorlie Production Centre performed well, led by KCGM, where we maintained elevated production and development rates,” he said. 

“Overall, costs for the quarter were better than forecast reflecting our continued focus on capital discipline.” 

Northern Star says the KCGM mill expansion remains on track for early FY27 commissioning.  

The KCGM mill expansion project, centred on the Fimiston processing plant, will replace 85% of the 13mtpa plant, increasing the overall processing capacity to 27mtpa and then consolidate the Gidji facility, according to Northern Star.  

Northern Star expects KCGM to operate at about 900,000ozpa from FY29 (steady state), following a two-year ramp-up through FY27-28. 

“This week, we received Ministerial approval for the Fimiston South project and associated infrastructure, which supports higher future throughput and long-term cost efficiency at KCGM to deliver sustainable high-margin ounces,” Mr Tonkin said. 

“We remain well positioned to deliver our full-year guidance, with stronger grades expected at KCGM in the second half along with improved volume and grade performance across the broader portfolio.  

“Combined with growing leverage to gold prices and ongoing cost focus, we are firmly aligned to our purpose of delivering superior returns for our shareholders.”