Maritana Minerals (ASX:MRT) has secured key regulatory approvals and is progressing non-process infrastructure works at its Black Swan Processing Hub (BSPH) in Western Australia, with first gold production targeted for the second half of 2027.
The company reports that the Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration (DMPE) approved the mining development and closure proposal (MDCP) in late July. The Department of Water and Environment Regulation subsequently granted works approval for the new carbon-in-leach circuit early this month.
Managing Director Grant Haywood says these recent approvals represent key milestones that keep the regulatory pathway on track.
“With these approvals now in place, our clearing permit application is progressing through the DMPE assessment against a 30-day target,” Haywood says.
He adds that Maritana is also reducing risks across the non-process infrastructure (NPI) required to support construction and operations at the BSPH.
The company says early site establishment works are advancing alongside the approvals process and NPI workstreams.
Maritana has engaged Flow Water Services to complete $1.3 million borefield upgrades across its leases to support early works.
“The borefield upgrade is considered to be a practical near-term early works investment, while our power supply study is focused on securing reliable, cost-effective power in light of outages experienced by other operators in the region,” Haywood says.
Power supply assessments are also evaluating grid, gas, and hybrid renewable solutions across two existing grid lines to mitigate regional outage risks. In the meantime, Maritana plans to install short-term rental diesel generation units to meet the targeted processing start date.
Resource Potentials has been commissioned to investigate additional water supply options north and south of the site.
Meanwhile, Maritana says initial assessments of Yarri Road indicate the upgrade will not require bitumen sealing on the 18km unsealed section to the hub, reducing upgrade scope and costs. The company is currently in talks with the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder to optimise upgrade solutions and minimise road closures during severe weather.
As for accommodation, stage one of the construction camp became operational on 3 August 2026, with procurement underway for a permanent 60-room camp scalable to 120 rooms. The permanent camp is expected to be operational from January 2027.
ESN Group is reviewing site communication requirements as Maritana designs permanent entrance and security facilities to manage site access and traffic. A further MDCP covering the tailings storage facility is now being prepared for submission later in 2026.
“With the key approvals granted, site establishment and water infrastructure works underway, and road and communications requirements being less extensive than expected, the BSPH continues to gain momentum toward development,” Haywood says.
Maritana Minerals is an emerging mid-tier gold producer focused on developing the BSPH near Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Western Australia.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Images: Maritana Minerals
