Rox Resources (ASX:RXL) has reported underground drilling intercepts at its Youanmi Gold Mine in Western Australia, with development extending beyond the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) mine plan.
Underground diamond drilling at United North returned multiple ‘high-grade’ intercepts, including 10.4m @ 2.65 grams per tonne gold (Au) from 113.83m and 5m @ 6.39g/t Au from 108.00m, incorporating 1.27m @ 22.36g/t Au from 110.83m.
The company completed 17 holes for 3,198m in July, focused on ensuring sufficient infill drilling 12 months ahead of mining by mid-2027. Results continue to demonstrate potential for expansion of the upper levels of United North beyond the DFS mine plan.
Additional results include 6.13m @ 2.96g/t Au from 118.5m, including 1.36m @ 8.62g/t Au from 119m, and 2.24m @ 39.33g/t gold from 220.7m.
Managing Director Phill Wilding says underground infill drilling has continued to return significant ‘high-grade’ results, further solidifying the mine plan and continuing to derisk delivery from the high-grade ore system.
“Development drives are now progressing beyond the DFS mine plan, delivering encouraging face sampling results which are strengthening our confidence in mineralisation extending beyond that outlined in the DFS,” Wilding notes.
“Combined, these results are setting the stage for the Youanmi Gold Mine to progress towards our aspiration of becoming a 150,000ozpa operation in future years.”
Ore drive development has extended beyond the DFS mine plan on both the 2356 and 2341mRL levels. Face sampling results from the 2341mRL level show grades higher than modelled for the DFS.
Construction ramps up as mining advances at Youanmi
The company has executed a power purchase agreement with Pacific Energy (ASX:PEA) under a build-own-operate package, with pricing in line with DFS assumptions. The initial term is 10 years, with extension opportunities available.
Once complete, the power station will generate 25MW in thermal power and 26MWdc (megawatts direct current) in solar power, with 2MW of backup diesel and a 9.3MVA battery for dynamic support.
EPC provider Interquip is progressing on schedule with processing plant construction, designed with a nameplate capacity of 1 million tonnes per annum. Concrete foundations are progressing, including completion of the screen plant and carbon-in-leach ring beams.
Mining exceeded DFS advance rates, with 522m completed in July, including 350m of development advance and 172m of stripping in the historic Youanmi Decline.
The company remains on track for gold delivery in mid-2027, with Youanmi Deeps resource conversion and exploration drilling scheduled to begin in the September quarter.
Rox Resources owns the Youanmi Gold Project near Mt Magnet, approximately 480km northeast of Perth. The project hosts a global mineral resource of 12.1 million tonnes @ 5.6g/t for 2.2 million ounces gold.
Write to JC Villarba at Mining.com.au
Images: Rox Resources
