Dewatering and Resource Growth at Youanmi Signal Critical Phase for Rox Resources
Rox Resources reports compelling assay results from its 35,000m drilling campaign at Youanmi, alongside advancing metallurgical testing and critical infrastructure upgrades, positioning the project firmly on track for its mid-2025 resource update.
- 35,000m drilling campaign underway with five rigs active
- Exceptional high-grade gold intercepts at Pollard and United North
- Metallurgical test work progressing, concentrate shipment imminent
- Civil engineering for dewatering and infrastructure upgrades advancing
- Key senior management appointments bolster operational readiness
Drilling Campaign Delivers Early Success
Rox Resources Limited (ASX: RXL) has provided a comprehensive update on its Youanmi Gold Project in Western Australia, revealing encouraging results from its intensified 35,000-metre drilling program. With four diamond and one reverse circulation rigs currently operating, the company is systematically expanding and upgrading its resource base along the 1.8-kilometre Youanmi mineralised corridor.
Notably, the Pollard deposit has yielded spectacular assay results, including an intercept of 4.94 metres grading 84.55 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 312.7 metres depth, underscoring the high-grade potential at depth. United North also delivered robust intersections, such as 32.27 metres at 4.34 g/t from 381.6 metres, reinforcing the continuity of mineralisation and the opportunity for resource growth.
Advancing Metallurgical and Infrastructure Programs
Parallel to drilling, Rox is progressing metallurgical test work with sampling complete and comminution and flotation tests underway. The company anticipates shipping concentrate samples to Core Resources' Brisbane laboratories imminently to commence Albion Process™ testing, a critical step toward optimising gold recovery.
On the infrastructure front, civil engineering crews have mobilised to refurbish evaporation ponds essential for dewatering operations. Rox has lodged applications to relocate water into nearby pits and ordered dewatering infrastructure, with installation scheduled to begin in early March. These efforts aim to facilitate access to lower pit areas and underground workings, accelerating project development.
Strengthening the Management Team
Recognising the complexity of advancing Youanmi toward production, Rox has bolstered its leadership with key appointments: Greg Hoskins as Chief Financial Officer, Oliver Keene as General Manager Operations, and Ben Sambell as Environment and Sustainability Manager. These additions bring critical expertise in project financing, operational execution, and regulatory compliance, respectively, enhancing the company's capacity to deliver on its development milestones.
On Track for Mid-Year Resource Update and DFS
The drilling campaign remains on schedule and within its $11 million budget, with over 7,500 metres of diamond drilling and 3,500 metres of reverse circulation drilling completed. Rox targets an updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) by mid-2025, which will underpin a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) aimed at increasing ore throughput and gold production rates. This strategy is designed to shorten the capital payback period and enhance project economics.
CEO Phillip Wilding expressed confidence in the progress, highlighting the "fantastic intercepts" and the growing Indicated resource category that will support a revised reserve and mine plan. The company’s integrated approach, combining drilling, metallurgical testing, dewatering, and infrastructure upgrades, reflects a disciplined pathway toward production.
Bottom Line?
As Rox Resources advances Youanmi’s development with robust drilling and infrastructure progress, the coming months will be pivotal in defining its gold production trajectory.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the upcoming Mineral Resource Estimate impact the project's reserve classification and valuation?
- What are the expected timelines and outcomes for the Albion Process™ metallurgical testing?
- How might dewatering progress influence access to deeper ore zones and early production schedules?
