Apollo Hill’s Development Hinges on Feasibility Study Outcomes and Cost Optimisation

Global Expertise Joins Apollo Hill

Saturn Metals Limited (ASX: STN) has taken a decisive step forward in the development of its flagship Apollo Hill Gold Project in Western Australia by appointing Kappes Cassiday & Associates (KCA) to lead the Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS). Renowned worldwide for their heap leach engineering expertise, KCA brings over five decades of experience in delivering technically robust and economically viable heap leach projects.

The appointment underscores Saturn’s commitment to leveraging best-in-class engineering capabilities to refine and optimise the project’s development strategy. KCA’s track record includes collaborations with major mining companies such as Barrick and Kinross, highlighting their ability to manage complex heap leach operations from feasibility through to commissioning and operational guidance.

Strategic Collaboration and Local Insight

In addition to KCA’s global expertise, Saturn has partnered with NewPro Consulting and Engineering Services Pty Ltd, a firm with deep local knowledge and extensive project delivery experience in Western Australia. This collaboration aims to blend international technical excellence with regional operational insights, ensuring that the PFS is both technically sound and contextually relevant.

The PFS will be informed by an updated Mineral Resource Estimate, expected imminently, and will build on the positive Preliminary Economic Analysis (PEA) published in August 2023. This updated resource base is critical, as it will directly influence the engineering design, capital expenditure forecasts, and operating cost models that underpin the feasibility study.

Optimising Project Economics and Execution

Saturn Metals Managing Director Ian Bamborough emphasised the significance of engaging a market leader like Kappes Cassiday, noting their proven ability to deliver first-class heap leach projects globally. Bamborough highlighted that the PFS represents a key milestone in advancing Apollo Hill towards becoming a large-scale, long-life gold operation.

Daniel W. Kappes, President and CEO of Kappes Cassiday, expressed enthusiasm about the project’s potential and the opportunity to optimise capital and operating costs. He stressed the firm’s commitment to delivering a study that balances cost-effectiveness with timely execution, ensuring the project is financeable and ready for construction and sustainable production.

Looking Ahead

The PFS is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2025, setting a clear timeline for the next phase of Apollo Hill’s development. As the study progresses, investors and stakeholders will be watching closely for updates on the resource estimate and the evolving economic parameters that will shape the project’s viability.

Saturn’s strategic move to secure KCA’s expertise signals confidence in Apollo Hill’s potential and a methodical approach to unlocking value. The integration of global heap leach knowledge with local engineering capabilities positions the project well to navigate the complexities of development and capital markets.