Rox Resources Fully Permitted, Accelerates Youanmi Gold Build

Rox Resources (ASX: RXL) is pushing ahead with construction at its Youanmi gold mine in Western Australia after securing the final approvals needed to start building the processing plant, tailings dam, wastewater facility, power station, and related infrastructure.

The company now holds all environmental and works permits required to execute its mine plan, with first gold pour targeted for mid-2027.

Contractor MACA Interquip Mintrex has set up site offices and begun construction on the plant, which is designed for 1 million tonnes per annum. Mill components including the ball mill shell, carbon-in-leach tank, and Albion tank are manufactured and waiting transport to site. Concrete pouring for structural foundations is expected to start within the month.

Rox is advancing three underground declines at Youanmi. The historical Youanmi decline is being stripped to fit modern mining equipment and will provide an additional mining front alongside the United North underground mine. Development of the Pollard decline, which will serve as a high-grade ore source in the long-term plan, has also started.

Advance between the Youanmi and Pollard declines totalled 92 metres in June and is expected to accelerate as work areas progress.

Dewatering is underway through an initial borehole into old Youanmi workings, with a second deeper hole being prepared to maintain pumping ahead of stripping and rehabilitation.

Mining at United North is exceeding the rates outlined in the definitive feasibility study. A single development jumbo rig completed 339 metres in June. Ore drive development is active on multiple fronts, and run-of-mine stockpiles are building toward 190,000 tonnes grading 3.3 grams per tonne for plant commissioning, consistent with DFS assumptions.

Perth-based contractor K-Drill started diamond infill drilling at United North's 2310mRl Substation 1 in June, targeting improved geological control for ore drives. Initial samples have been sent for analysis.

Rox ended June with $152.7 million in cash, down $47.7 million from the prior quarter as mining and construction ramped up. The company has access to $350 million in debt facilities expected to be drawn in the second half of the year, plus proceeds from a $218 million December share placement that finalised Youanmi's equity funding.

Construction of mining offices and changerooms is complete. The initial workshop and wash bay is nearing completion. A contract has been awarded for administration and processing office facilities, with completion expected before year end. A 351-room camp upgrade for staff and contractors is due for handover by month end.

"With all major approvals now in place, construction underway, underground drilling commenced, and several activities tracking ahead of schedule, Rox is fully funded and continuing to execute its plan to become one of Australia's next high-grade gold producers," chief executive officer Phill Wilding said.