Murchison Project Hits First Ore Milestone, Processing Plant Ready by June
Meeka Metals has achieved a key milestone with first ore mined from its Murchison Gold Project open pits, setting the stage for process plant commissioning in June 2025. Mining at multiple high-grade oxide pits is underway alongside significant processing plant and power upgrades.
- First ore mined from St Anne’s North open pit
- Turnberry Central pit mining commenced, second of five Stage 1 pits
- Ore stockpiles building ahead of June 2025 process plant commissioning
- Processing plant expansion and power station upgrades progressing well
- Underground mining at Andy Well to start mid-2025 with first gold targeted by mid-year
Milestone Achieved at Murchison
April 2025 marked a significant operational milestone for Meeka Metals Limited as the company mined its first ore from the St Anne’s North open pit at the flagship Murchison Gold Project in Western Australia. This achievement signals the transition from development to production phase, with ore now being stockpiled on the run-of-mine (ROM) pad in preparation for the commissioning of the upgraded processing plant scheduled for June 2025.
Mining activities also commenced at the Turnberry Central open pit, the second of five high-grade oxide pits planned for Stage 1 production. These concurrent open pits are designed to deliver a consistent and surplus feed of high-grade oxide ore, underpinning the company’s strategy to ramp up gold output efficiently.
Processing Plant and Infrastructure Upgrades
Alongside mining progress, Meeka Metals has made strong headway on its processing plant expansion. Major structural works are complete, with the gold room upgrade well advanced, including installation of the InLine Leach Reactor (ILR) as part of the gravity gold circuit. Electrical, air, and water services installations are ongoing, ensuring the plant will be ready for commissioning in the June quarter.
Complementing these efforts, power station upgrade works at the Andy Well site began in April and are on track for completion in early May. Reliable power supply is critical to sustaining continuous operations as the project scales up.
Looking Ahead: Underground Mining and Production Targets
Meeka Metals is preparing to initiate underground mining at the high-grade Andy Well mine mid-2025, with ore development and growth drilling planned to commence concurrently. The Definitive Feasibility Study released in December 2024 projects a robust 10-year production plan averaging 65,000 ounces per annum over the first seven years, with peak annual production reaching 76,000 ounces.
The study also forecasts an undiscounted pre-tax free cash flow of $1 billion, an NPV8% of $616 million, and an IRR of 180%, underscoring the project’s strong economic potential. First gold production is targeted for mid-2025, aligning with the commissioning timeline.
Strategic Growth Opportunities
Beyond Murchison, Meeka Metals holds the Circle Valley Project in the Albany-Fraser Mobile Belt, an area with significant gold mineralisation potential. This portfolio diversification offers additional growth avenues as the company advances its core operations.
Managing Director Tim Davidson emphasised the importance of the recent milestones, stating that the concurrent mining of multiple high-grade oxide pits will ensure a steady feed for processing and support the company’s production goals.
Bottom Line?
With first ore mined and plant commissioning imminent, Meeka Metals is poised to convert its resource potential into tangible production and cash flow.
Questions in the middle?
- Will Meeka Metals meet its mid-2025 first gold production target amid commissioning risks?
- How will underground mining at Andy Well impact overall production profiles and costs?
- What are the company’s plans to finance ongoing expansions and sustain operations beyond Stage 1?
