News

Meeka Metals Limited (ASX: MEK) has achieved a significant milestone at its Murchison Gold Project in Western Australia, mining the first ore from the St Anne’s North open pit as the processing plant expansion nears completion.

Key Highlights:

• First ore successfully mined from St Anne’s North open pit, building ore stockpiles on the Run-of-Mine (ROM) pad in preparation for processing plant commissioning in June 2025.

• Mining has also commenced at Turnberry Central, marking the second of five planned Stage 1 high-grade oxide open pits.

• Major structural works at the processing plant are complete, with significant advancements in gold room upgrades and ongoing installations of electrical, air, and water services.

• Power station upgrade at Andy Well commenced and will be completed in early May 2025.

Managing Director Tim Davidson remarked, “This achievement underscores our commitment and steady progress towards first gold production. The commencement of mining at Turnberry Central ensures a continuous flow of high-grade oxide ore to our processing facilities.”

Looking ahead, Meeka continues to ramp up site activities, including further process plant upgrades, underground mining preparations at Andy Well, and planned commissioning of the expanded plant in June 2025.

For more information, visit www.meekametals.com.au.

Venus Metals Begins RC Drilling at Sandstone (Bellchambers) Gold Project

Venus Metals Corporation Limited (ASX: VMC) has commenced a reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at its Sandstone (Bellchambers) Gold Project, situated approximately 23km southwest of Sandstone in Western Australia.

Key Highlights:

• The drilling campaign comprises approximately 2,000 metres across 16-18 RC holes.

• Aimed at upgrading current indicated mineralisation to measured, and exploring extensions to the existing resource.

• The Bellchambers gold deposit hosts a JORC 2012 resource of 722,000 tonnes at 1.31 g/t gold, containing 30,500 ounces, with 22,100 ounces in the indicated category.

• Previous metallurgical testing has shown promising recovery rates:

  • Oxide samples: 86.3% to 92.0%

  • Transition samples: 81.9% to 95.6%

  • Fresh samples: 75% to 90.1%

• Exploration potential is highlighted by previous significant drill results including:

  • 11m at 4.69 g/t gold from 12m

  • 8m at 1.22 g/t gold from 30m

Managing Director Matthew Hogan stated, "This drilling is crucial to our strategy of expanding the gold resource at Bellchambers. The proximity to infrastructure at Youanmi presents a compelling near-term development scenario."

Drilling is expected to take approximately two weeks, with assay results anticipated shortly thereafter. An updated resource estimate and additional metallurgical testwork will follow.

For further information, visit www.venusmetals.com.au.

Javelin Minerals Limited (ASX: JAV) has successfully completed its maiden reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at the Eureka Gold Project near Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, aiming to expand the project's existing gold resources.

Highlights:

• Completed 22 RC holes for a total of 2,779 metres.

• Drilling targeted expansion of the current resource, intersecting key structures marked by zones of increased shearing and alteration.

• Eureka Gold Project hosts a JORC 2012 Resource of 2.45Mt at 1.42g/t gold, totalling 112,000 ounces, with 62,000 ounces classified as Indicated.

• Potential identified for near-term mining of approximately 34,000 ounces from the southern Eureka Pit.

• Assay results from the drilling program are expected in early May 2025.

• High-grade historical intersections include 4m at 135g/t Au and 6m at 19.58g/t Au, highlighting the project's substantial potential.

Executive Chairman Brett Mitchell remarked, "There is immense scope to grow the Eureka resource, evidenced by our initial drilling intersecting targeted structures as planned. These results will guide our next exploration phase."

Javelin is also advancing discussions regarding toll treatment opportunities with nearby processing facilities, aligning with their near-term mining objectives.

For further details, visit www.javelinminerals.com.au.

Rumble Resources Limited (ASX: RTR) has provided an encouraging update on its Western Queen Gold Project in Western Australia, highlighting significant progress in mine development and promising exploration results.

Mine Development Highlights:

• First ore extraction at Western Queen is anticipated by the end of the year, pending final approvals and the execution of key agreements.

• Definitive Agreements including a Co-operation Agreement, a Primary Facility Agreement (up to $35 million working capital), and a Specific Security Deed are nearing finalisation.

Exploration Success:

• Recent drilling at the Duke prospect delivered high-grade gold intersections including:

  • 4m at 6.27g/t gold from 77m, including 1m at 23.03g/t

  • 3m at 6.82g/t gold from 75m, including 1m at 18.61g/t

• Sampling of historical core continues to yield high-grade tungsten results such as:

  • 11.5m at 1.46% WO3 and 0.79g/t gold

  • 3.1m at 1.13% WO3 and 0.61g/t gold

  • 16m at 0.50% WO3 and 2.22g/t gold

CEO Peter Harold commented, “We are pleased with the substantial progress on both development and exploration fronts at Western Queen. The promising results, particularly from Duke, underscore the significant potential of this project.”

Ongoing diamond drilling and further exploration are expected to provide additional updates soon.

Iceni Gold Limited (ASX: ICL) has released encouraging results from its initial RC drilling campaign at the Guyer Prospect, part of its flagship 14 Mile Well Gold Project near Leonora and Laverton, Western Australia.

Key Highlights:

• Initial RC drilling campaign comprising 31 holes totaling 6,420 metres completed.

• First 15 RC holes all intersected significant gold mineralisation, expanding the mineralised footprint.

• Notable intersections include:

  • 10m at 0.67g/t gold from 115m, including 2m at 1.89g/t

  • 15m at 0.47g/t gold from 189m, including 1m at 1.22g/t

  • 13m at 0.52g/t gold from 78m, including 5m at 1.16g/t

• Drilling identified an extensive mineralised and altered granodiorite corridor over 1,000 metres wide, with the full extent yet to be defined.

• The Guyer Prospect is part of a $35 million exploration Farm-In and Joint Venture agreement with Gold Road Resources (ASX: GOR).

Iceni Managing Director Wade Johnson noted, “These results clearly indicate the significant potential of the Guyer Prospect, reinforcing our strategy for accelerated diamond drilling to target high-grade zones within this expansive system."

Diamond drilling and further exploration activities, including a gravity survey and additional aircore drilling, are scheduled to commence shortly.

For more details, visit www.icenigold.com.au.

Liontown Resources Limited (ASX: LTR) has achieved a significant milestone by commencing underground lithium production at its Kathleen Valley Lithium Operation's Mt Mann orebody in Western Australia, marking Australia's first underground lithium mining operation.

Key Highlights:

• First underground production stope successfully fired, extracting approximately 1,500 tonnes of ore.

• The initial stope is designed to extract about 12,000 tonnes, roughly equivalent to two days of plant production.

• Recent trials confirmed excellent processability of the underground ore with grades around 1.5% Li2O and lithium recoveries exceeding 70%.

• Underground mining is expected to provide cleaner ore extraction, lower ore dilution, higher recoveries, and improved ore fragmentation for optimized processing.

• Progressive ramp-up planned with the mill expected to rely solely on underground and stockpiled ore by Q4 FY26.

Managing Director and CEO Tony Ottaviano stated, "This milestone is a proud achievement for Liontown, enabled by extensive planning and the dedication of our team and mining partner, Byrnecut. The successful trials reinforce our confidence in transitioning smoothly to full underground operations, underpinning our long-term value creation strategy."

Further underground development and optimisation initiatives will continue as Liontown advances towards full-scale underground operations.

For more information, visit www.ltresources.com.au.

Accelerate Resources Limited (ASX: AX8) has significantly advanced its Comet Gold Project in Western Australia's prolific Murchison Goldfield, identifying three new high-priority gold exploration targets.

Key Highlights:

• Granting of key exploration licence E20/1000 significantly expands Accelerate's prospective area to 68 square kilometres.

• The new tenement is located just 700 metres from Westgold Resources’ Tuckabianna gold mill, within a region known for substantial gold production exceeding 1.2 million ounces.

• Recent detailed geological reviews and field reconnaissance have outlined three new high-priority targets within the newly granted area:

  • Target C1 features an intensely folded Banded Iron Formation (BIF), previously undrilled, showing strong potential for gold mineralisation.

  • Targets C2 and C3 identified through historical shallow drilling, highlighting potential parallel structures to the mineral-rich Tuckabianna Shear Zone.

CEO Luke Meter stated, “This recent licence grant and subsequent target identification underscore the potential of the Comet Gold Project. The proximity to existing significant gold production and the identification of compelling geological structures strengthen our confidence in the project's substantial upside.”

Accelerate is planning further exploration including electrical geophysical surveys and drilling, pending heritage clearances.

For additional information, visit www.AX8.com.au.

At Mining Employment Services (MES), we always look for ways to deliver faster, smarter, and more personal service to our clients and candidates. Over the past few weeks, we’ve made a major leap forward by rolling out AI-driven improvements to our application and candidate matching process.

Thanks to our in-house AI system, built using OpenAI technology, job applications through our site are now processed up to 90% faster. That means less time filling out forms and more time speaking with our recruiters about what matters — the next step in your career.

And the results are already speaking for themselves.

“This is the best and easiest application process I have seen to date,” said one candidate who’s worked with MES over the past 20 years.

The upgrades don’t stop at applications. The same AI is also powering advanced candidate-to-client matching, helping us identify the right people for the right roles faster than ever. This efficiency means our recruiters have more time to do what they do best — connect with people.

“I have so much more time to provide a great service to our candidates and clients,” said one of our team members.

This AI rollout is a big step in our broader strategy to continually improve client service and deliver results for Australia’s mining industry. While we’ve already seen big gains, we’re not stopping here — we’ll continue to tweak and refine the system to ensure it works even better for everyone we support.

Whether you’re looking for your next role or the right person for the job, MES is now even better equipped to help you get there — faster.

Australian Rare Earths Limited (ASX: AR3) has confirmed significant near-surface uranium intersections from assays at its Overland Project in South Australia, highlighting considerable potential for both shallow and deeper uranium deposits.

Key Highlights:

• Assay results from drill hole OV047 confirmed:

  • 2 metres at 92ppm U3O8 from 26 metres, including 1 metre at 103ppm U3O8.

  • Additional 1 metre intersection at 72ppm U3O8 from 31 metres.

• Identified mineralisation at Overland suggests a promising anomalous zone up to 6 metres thick and over 1 kilometre wide, remaining open in all directions.

• Dual potential for uranium confirmed: shallow calcrete-hosted deposits and deeper, ISR-amenable (in-situ recovery) deposits.

• Ongoing drilling and assays expected to provide further insights, with additional results anticipated throughout the June quarter 2025.

Managing Director Travis Beinke remarked, “These assay results underscore Overland's significant potential, validating our exploration strategy. Our dual approach targets both near-surface and deeper ISR uranium deposits, positioning AR3 strongly within the uranium exploration space.”

Further exploration activities, including targeted follow-up drilling, will continue throughout 2025 to expand the identified mineralisation zones.

For further updates, visit www.ar3.com.au.

Western Mines Group Ltd (ASX: WMG) has announced the completion of its first Mineral Resource Estimate for the Mulga Tank Ni-Co-Cu-PGE Project in Western Australia, marking a significant milestone in its exploration efforts.

Key Highlights:

• A substantial Mineral Resource Estimate has been defined, totalling 1,968 million tonnes grading 0.27% Nickel, 131ppm Cobalt, 82ppm Copper, and 17ppb Platinum plus Palladium (Pt+Pd).

• Contained metals within this resource include 5.3 million tonnes of Nickel, 257,000 tonnes of Cobalt, 161,000 tonnes of Copper, and 1.1 million ounces of Platinum and Palladium.

• Indicated Resource of 565 million tonnes at 0.28% Nickel, with additional Inferred Resource of 1,403 million tonnes at 0.27% Nickel.

• Independent consultants ERM Australia have validated the modelling and estimation methods.

• The Mulga Tank project is considered to be the largest nickel sulphide deposit in Australia and among the top 10 globally.

Managing Director Dr Caedmon Marriott stated, "This resource represents a landmark achievement and confirms the global significance of the Mulga Tank Complex. Our immediate focus will shift to targeting higher-grade zones within this large-scale deposit."

Western Mines plans further exploration and resource definition drilling to expand and enhance the resource classification.

Further details can be found at www.westernmines.com.au.