In a significant development for the mining industry, the board of Northern Star Resources has given the green light for the expansion of the Fimiston Mill, a key component of the Kalgoorlie Consolidated Gold Mines' (KCGM) Super Pit. The expansion, which will increase the mill's capacity from 13 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) to 37Mtpa, comes with a price tag of $1.5 billion and is scheduled for completion in 2026.
Situated in the heart of the Kalgoorlie goldfields, the Super Pit stands as one of Australia's largest open-pit gold mines, encompassing the Mt Charlotte underground mine, as well as the Fimiston and Gidji processing plants.
Northern Star's Managing Director, Stuart Tonkin, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "Today marks an exciting day for Northern Star and a momentous new chapter for this world-class asset. The board's decision to approve the KCGM mill expansion and optimization signifies the next stage in revitalizing our largest asset, as well as the surrounding district, for decades to come."
Tonkin further emphasized the financial advantages of the project, asserting its contribution toward realizing the company's strategy of generating superior returns for shareholders. With a productive start to the year at the Super Pit, Northern Star has seen an increase in gold resources to 57.4 million ounces (Moz), while maintaining steady ore reserves of 20.2Moz.
The Managing Director expressed confidence in the site's ability to continue delivering substantial value, stating, "Our confidence in the economics of KCGM, as a long-life, low-cost gold mine, has been further reinforced throughout the feasibility study phase."
Expanding the processing capacity of KCGM will not only strengthen Northern Star's portfolio but also significantly enhance free cash flow generation, moving the company towards its long-term objective of positioning within the second quartile of the global cost curve.
Tonkin also highlighted the project's significance in terms of sustainability, job creation, and local investment. He stated, "The project is important in our sustainability journey and will also sustain hundreds of local jobs, economic and social investment, and local procurement opportunities in the Goldfields region."
The expansion of the Fimiston Mill marks a major milestone for Northern Star Resources, propelling them towards a future of increased gold production, enhanced financial performance, and a continued commitment to sustainable mining practices.