Western Gold Resources expands Gold Duke production target - Mining.com.au

AI desk brief

Western Gold Resources expanded the Gold Duke Scoping Study, lifting the production target by 62% to 1.11Mt grading 1.70g/t for 59,700oz of contained gold, with 55,500oz expected recovered at 93% recovery. The update adds 18 open pits and implies a 21-month mine life, with $5.35m pre-production capex and $6.80m working capital; the project shows a $72.9m operating surplus at an assumed gold price of $6,100/oz.

The study is underpinned by the December 2025 resource of 4.84Mt at 1.80g/t for 277,000oz, including 104,000oz in measured and indicated categories, and draws on 33,980m of grade control and infill drilling. Wiluna toll treatment remains in place but is currently deferred due to operational issues, leaving plant availability, water supply, and final mine design as the key next catalysts.