Brightstar Resources says construction of its Goldfields gold project near Laverton in Western Australia is on schedule and within budget, with first gold targeted for June 2027. Work is moving from concrete to steel, mechanical and piping installation.
At a glance
- Mining at the Lord Byron open pit is targeted to start early in the March quarter of 2027.
- The project's feasibility study outlined about 75,000 ounces of gold a year for six years.
- The study put the project's net present value at A$606 million.
Background
Brightstar is an ASX-listed gold developer in Western Australia's Goldfields region. The project uses a carbon-in-leach (CIL) plant, where gold is dissolved from crushed ore and recovered on activated carbon.
What happened
Brightstar has completed the final major concrete pour in the primary crusher area and started erecting structural steel, Australian Mining reported. Platework and welding on the carbon-in-leach tanks is under way, and earthworks have started at the project's liquefied natural gas power station.
The company said the Goldfields project remains on schedule and within its approved budget.
What comes next
Managing director Alex Rovira said the next few weeks will see concrete finished across the gold recovery, elution and reagents areas. Structural steel will start at the grinding and crusher areas, and pump testing will begin at the borefields.
Site establishment has begun at the Lord Byron open pit, with mining targeted for early in the March quarter of 2027. When Brightstar approved construction in May, it had planned to start mining there later in 2026.
What it means
Rovira said Brightstar looks forward to "first gold in less than nine months' time". The project rests on a January feasibility study. It outlined about 75,000 ounces of gold a year for six years and a net present value of A$606 million at an 8% discount rate.
Our read
Outlook: neutral. A small new gold mine in Australia does not affect the global gold price.
What to watch
- Start of mining at Lord Byron in the March quarter of 2027.
- Completion of the CIL plant and power station.
- First gold, targeted for June 2027.
For information only, not investment advice.
Gold price in India
metalscost.com India reference price as of 2026-10-24.
Detailed analysis
Timeline
- 2026-01: Brightstar publishes its feasibility study.
- 2026-05: Brightstar approves construction.
- 2027-06: Target date for first gold.
Mining Production
Brightstar's Goldfields project is due to add about 75,000 ounces of gold a year from mid-2027.
What could lift prices
- Construction is on schedule and within budget.
- Exploration continues near the mill for more resources.
What could weigh on prices
- Open-pit mining at Lord Byron starts later than first planned.
Country impact
| Country | Impact | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Low | A new gold mine is being built in Western Australia. |
Industry impact
| Industry | Effect | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Gold Mining | Positive | A new mid-tier gold project is advancing on schedule. |
Who gains, who loses
- Brightstar Resources: Its project is on track for first gold within nine months.
Other ways this could play out
- If construction stays on track, Brightstar will become a gold producer in mid-2027.
- If costs rise or commissioning slips, first gold could be delayed.
Price risks
- Gold prices affect the project's returns.
- Construction and commissioning risks remain.
Technical view
Price is trading below both its 20-period and 50-period moving averages, a bearish alignment.
Computed from metalscost.com's own stored price history.
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