Native Mineral Resources (ASX:NMR) has produced around 300 ounces of gold doré from three gold pours at the Blackjack Project in Queensland on 27 August as part of the company’s strategy to become a full-scale producer.
The company has scheduled its next pour for 11 September 2025.
This follows the facility’s feed grade peak of 1.08 grams per tonne gold on 25 August, which Native Mineral describes as progressive improvement since earlier in the month.
Native Mineral has milled a total of 17,697 dry tonnes that host an average grade of 0.526g/t gold with a 91.65% recovery.
CEO Blake Cannavo says achieving the 300 ounces mark is a significant milestone for the company as it streamlines towards full production.
“August is proving to be a transformational month for the business, with plant performance improving daily and feed grades steadily increasing,” Cannavo says.
“Our strategy remains focused on delivering sustainable gold production from Blackjack while unlocking value across our broader asset portfolio, including the Far Fanning and Granite Castle.
“Importantly, the team has maintained strong recoveries through the ramp-up, giving us confidence in the robustness of our processing circuit.”
The company returned its maiden gold bar in July this year, yielding 70 ounces at 91.64% recovery, as reported by Mining.com.au.
Ore supplied to the mill is sourced from ongoing south pit mining operations. Upon completion at the south pit, Native Mineral will shift focus to further develop the north pit, with central pit to follow.
The company is working towards establishing an optimised life-of-mine plan, engaging with both internal and external consultants.
Feasibility work to upgrade and expand the plant intends to target automation and throughput optimisation across the 2026 and 2027 financial years.
Gold has seen a lot of market attention recently, as global demand skyrockets with World Gold Council’s 2025 Central Bank Gold Reserves survey returning 95% of responders indicating a belief that gold central bank reserves will continue to increase across the next year.
Trading Economics reports the gold price at US$3,396.12 ($5,218) per ounce as of 28 August, on the tail of a 35.42% yearly increase.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: Native Mineral Resources
