Major Milestone Achieved as Dewatering Operations Begin at High-Grade WA Gold Project
Rox Resources (ASX: RXL) has commenced dewatering of the Main and United North pits at its Youanmi Gold Project in Western Australia, marking a significant milestone in the company's journey toward becoming one of Western Australia's highest-grade new gold producers.
The dewatering operations, which began following the successful installation and commissioning of pumping systems at both pit locations, represent a critical early works initiative that will enable access to planned underground portal locations. This strategic move is designed to fast-track the company's development timeline, with exploration declines scheduled to commence in Q4 2025.
"The commencement of dewatering is a major step forward for Rox in our plan to become one of the highest grade new gold producers of scale in Western Australia," said Managing Director & CEO Phill Wilding. "Starting the dewatering process now will allow us to gain early access to the planned underground portal locations, fast-tracking our plans to commence mining of the first of these exploration declines in the last quarter of this calendar year."
Dewatering Progress and Timeline
Rox Resources has successfully installed and commissioned pumping equipment at both the Youanmi Main Pit and United North Pit, with active pumping now underway at both locations.
| Pit Location | Pumping Rate | Discharge Location | Expected Completion | Next Development Step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United North | +40 litres/second | Kathleen Pit | Late Q3 2025 | Exploration decline (early Q4 2025) |
| Youanmi Main | +100 litres/second | Initially to evaporation ponds, then Kathleen and Rebel pits | Late Q4 2025 | Pollard exploration decline (early Q1 2026) |
The company has secured necessary permits for increased water volumes and discharge into the Rebel and Kathleen pits, complementing the already refurbished evaporation ponds. These additional pits will not be part of initial production plans but will serve as key water sources for the mine and processing plant as the project progresses.
Understanding Dewatering: Why It Matters for Gold Project Development
Dewatering is a critical process in mine development that involves removing groundwater from mine workings to create dry, safe conditions for mining operations. At Youanmi Gold Project, this process is particularly significant for several reasons:
-
Access to High-Grade Zones: Dewatering enables access to the underground portal locations where high-grade gold mineralisation can be accessed through exploration declines.
-
De-risking Project Timeline: By commencing dewatering early, Rox is proactively addressing one of the most time-consuming aspects of mine development, potentially reducing the overall project timeline.
-
Environmental Management: The careful management of discharged water into designated pits and evaporation ponds demonstrates responsible environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance.
-
Operational Efficiency: Having dewatered pits ready before construction begins allows for more efficient mine development and can reduce capital costs associated with rushing this critical phase.
For investors, successful dewatering operations are often viewed as a strong indicator that a mining project is moving from exploration and planning phases toward actual production.
"Our pathway to production is built around delivering a robust Definitive Feasibility Study, and conducting early works ensures we can de-risk the start-up process," noted Wilding. "Our team has been delivering this year – our drill program is ahead of schedule, enabling us to deliver an updated Mineral Resource Estimate in the coming weeks."
Development Timeline and Next Steps
Rox Resources remains firmly on track with its production pathway, having already completed several key milestones:
- ✓ Refurbishment of evaporation ponds
- ✓ Installation and commissioning of dewatering infrastructure
- ✓ Receipt of necessary dewatering permits
- ✓ Commencement of dewatering operations
- ✓ Completion of 46,000m drilling program on time and within budget
Upcoming milestones include:
- Updated Mineral Resource Estimate expected by mid-July 2025
- Continued dewatering of both pits
- Ongoing metallurgical test work for the Albion Processâ„¢
- Progression of Definitive Feasibility Study work streams
- Advancement of permitting processes
- Tender process for site infrastructure and mining contracts
The company's pathway to production indicates first gold expected in Q2 2027, following mill construction and commissioning in Q1 2027.
Key Work Streams Advancing in Parallel
While dewatering operations represent a visible milestone, Rox is simultaneously progressing multiple work streams critical to its development timeline:
-
Resource Definition: The company has completed its planned 46,000m drilling program on time and within budget, with results feeding into an updated Mineral Resource Estimate expected in mid-July 2025.
-
Definitive Feasibility Study: Several key components of the DFS are currently underway, including:
- Processing plant design
- Geotechnical studies
- Tailings dam design
- Metallurgical test work (Albion Processâ„¢)
- Hydrology and hydrogeology studies
-
Environmental and Regulatory: The company continues to advance its permitting process, including preparation of Mining Proposals and Mine Closure Plans.
-
Project Financing: Rox continues to work with debt advisors to advance project financing options, indicating confidence in the project's economic fundamentals.
Investment Thesis: Why Youanmi Stands Out
The Youanmi Gold Project has several compelling attributes that position it as an attractive investment opportunity in the Australian gold sector:
-
Exceptional Grade Profile: With a global mineral resource of 16.2Mt at 4.4g/t for 2.3 million ounces of gold, Youanmi ranks among the highest-grade new gold projects in Western Australia.
-
Clear Path to Production: Rox has established a well-defined development timeline with key milestones already being achieved on schedule.
-
Advanced Project Status: With dewatering underway and drilling completed, the project is progressing rapidly toward development decisions.
-
Financing Progress: The company continues to work with debt advisors to advance project financing options, indicating confidence in the project's economic fundamentals.
-
Potential for Growth: Ongoing exploration drilling suggests opportunities to expand the resource base beyond the current 2.3Moz.
About Rox Resources
Rox Resources (ASX: RXL) is a West Australian focused gold exploration and development company. It is the 100 per cent owner of the historic Youanmi Gold Project near Mt Magnet, approximately 480 kilometres northeast of Perth.
The Company's focus is on the development of the high-grade, high-margin Youanmi Gold Project that hosts a global mineral resource of 16.2Mt at 4.4g/t for 2.3Moz of gold. With a clear strategic and execution plan to production, Rox Resources offers significant value to its investors.
Why Investors Should Follow Rox Resources
Rox Resources represents a compelling opportunity for investors seeking exposure to advanced gold development stories in tier-one mining jurisdictions. The company stands out for several reasons:
-
Execution Focus: Management has demonstrated an ability to deliver on planned milestones, with drilling completed on time and budget and dewatering operations commenced as scheduled.
-
High-Grade, High-Margin Potential: As CEO Phill Wilding noted, "All of this work is paving the way for the delivery of a gold project that we believe will have impressive metrics and deliver value to our shareholders."
-
Significant News Flow: With an updated resource estimate expected in July 2025 and ongoing progress on the Definitive Feasibility Study, investors can anticipate regular updates on project advancement.
-
Strategic Asset Positioning: Owning 100% of a 2.3Moz gold resource in Western Australia places Rox in an advantageous position, whether as a developer or as a potential M&A target.
The commencement of dewatering operations at Youanmi represents more than just a technical milestone—it signals Rox Resources' transition from explorer to developer, with production now visible on the horizon. For investors seeking exposure to the gold sector, Rox presents a compelling combination of high-grade resources, clear development pathway, and experienced management execution.
Ready to Invest in One of WA's Highest-Grade Gold Producers?
Want to learn more about Rox Resources' journey towards becoming one of Western Australia's premier gold producers? With dewatering operations underway at the Youanmi Gold Project and first gold production targeted for Q2 2027, now is the perfect time to explore this compelling investment opportunity. Visit Rox Resources' website to access detailed investor information, review the latest announcements, and discover why this 2.3Moz high-grade gold project offers significant potential for shareholders.
