Native Mineral Resources (ASX:NMR) has announced it is nearing its first 1,000-ounce production month at the Blackjack Gold Operations in Queensland.
The company produced 649.3 ounces of doré from its third August smelt, completed on 18 August near Charters Towers.
Three bars were produced from the elution and gravity circuits. However, the doré weight includes silver and other material and does not represent confirmed fine-gold production.
Perth Mint refinery results show the first two August smelts, completed on 4 August and 11 August, produced a combined 602.7 ounces of fine gold.
The 11 August smelt contributed 336.6 ounces of fine gold and 302.6 ounces of silver.
Internal laboratory assays indicate the latest three bars have an average gold purity of 45.22%, implying about 293.6 ounces of contained gold. This estimate remains subject to independent refinery assays and final output.
Combining the confirmed and estimated results gives Native Mineral Resources approximately 896 ounces of gold from its first three August smelts. A fourth and final smelt is scheduled for next week.
CEO Blake Cannavo says the company is approaching a monthly production milestone about 12 months after starting operations at Blackjack.
“With another smelt scheduled next week, we are well positioned to achieve our first month above 1,000 ounces of gold since commencing production at Blackjack approximately 12 months ago,” Cannavo says.
The company’s previous monthly record was 763.8 ounces of fine gold, achieved in June 2026.
Across 16 smelts since July 2025, Native Mineral Resources has recorded an official refinery weight of 11,394.1 ounces. This includes 4,154.3 ounces of confirmed gold and 5,586.9 ounces of silver.
The estimated gold from the latest smelt is excluded from the confirmed total.
Native Mineral Resources is also advancing additional potential ore sources for the Blackjack Processing Plant.
Drilling has begun at the Blackjack North Pit ahead of sequential programs at the Blackjack Mid Pit Extension and Blackjack Central Pit, while work continues at the Far Fanning Pits. Native Mineral Resources says the programs could support additional mining areas from 2027, subject to results and approvals.
Preliminary planning is also underway for Wellington Springs and Waterloo under Native Mineral Resources’ arrangements with unlisted Haoma Mining.
Write to France Pinzon at Mining.com.au
Images: Native Mineral Resources
