Brightstar Boosts Menzies Gold Resources by 22%, Advancing 2026 Mining Plans

Resource Upgrade Highlights Brightstar’s Growth Trajectory

Brightstar Resources Limited (ASX, BTR) has announced a substantial 22% upgrade in Mineral Resources at its Menzies Gold Project (MGP), located in Western Australia’s prolific Goldfields region. This uplift, driven by comprehensive infill and extensional drilling at the key Yunndaga and Lady Shenton deposits, lifts the Menzies resource to 0.7 million ounces of gold at an average grade of 1.5 grams per tonne. Across the broader Brightstar group portfolio, Mineral Resources now exceed 4 million ounces at the same grade, underscoring the company’s growing asset base.

The drilling campaigns completed throughout 2025 have not only increased the overall resource size but have notably enhanced the confidence in the resource classification. The Indicated Mineral Resource at Yunndaga has surged by 187% to 152,000 ounces at 2.2g/t Au, while Lady Shenton’s Indicated component rose by 37% to 168,000 ounces at 1.4g/t Au. These deposits now collectively hold over 300,000 ounces in the Indicated category, a critical milestone for underpinning upcoming mine planning and production forecasts.

Technical Rigor and Strategic Implications

The updated Mineral Resource Estimates (MREs) represent the first time Brightstar has independently estimated these deposits, incorporating detailed geological modelling, geostatistical analysis, and metallurgical test work. The company employed both reverse circulation and diamond drilling techniques to refine resource boundaries and improve data quality, enabling more robust mine design and economic evaluation.

Yunndaga’s mineralisation, characterized by a sheared biotite-quartz-chlorite alteration zone, is targeted primarily for underground mining, reflecting its depth and grade profile. Lady Shenton, by contrast, offers open pit mining potential with extensions at depth that may support underground operations. Brightstar’s strategy leverages these complementary mining methods, with processing planned through a new carbon-in-leach (CIL) plant proposed for Laverton, enhancing operational synergies across its Goldfields Hub.

Path to Production and Market Outlook

The resource upgrades feed directly into the company’s updated Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS 2.0), scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2026. This study will refine mine plans, schedules, budgets, and economic models, setting the stage for a targeted Final Investment Decision (FID) shortly thereafter. Brightstar’s Managing Director, Alex Rovira, emphasized the importance of these results in de-risking near-term mining operations and enhancing the value proposition of the Menzies and Laverton projects.

While the Menzies deposits remain open along strike and at depth, presenting upside exploration potential, the current resource base provides a solid foundation for the company’s staged growth strategy. Brightstar’s portfolio, including assets in Laverton and Sandstone, positions it well to emerge as a mid-tier gold producer in Western Australia’s Tier-1 mining jurisdiction.

Looking Ahead

As Brightstar advances towards production commencement in 2026, investors will be watching closely for the DFS 2.0 outcomes and progress on permitting and financing. The company’s ability to translate these resource upgrades into operational success will be pivotal in validating its growth ambitions and unlocking shareholder value.