Star Minerals gets the go-ahead to drill for gold at Tumblegum South

Star is set to launch a drilling program in June at the Tumblegum South project, with ResourcesWA appointed to lead the mine approvals process.

Infill drilling will be carried out on current resources at Tumblegum South while exploration drilling will test parallel structural targets to the northwest. Pic: Getty Images

• Star Minerals readies drilling at Tumblegum following approval from WA government

• A program will kick off in June to test additional high-grade lodes

• The mining approvals process is underway with ResourcesWA

Special report: Star Minerals has received approval from the WA Government to begin drill testing high-grade lodes at the Tumblegum South project, which currently holds a 45,000oz contained gold resource.

Drilling is scheduled to begin shortly with the program of works approved, with site preparation contractors now being engaged and the mining approvals process underway with ResourcesWA to complete the relevant submissions.

Star Minerals (ASX:SMS) says ResourcesWA will bring immediate value to the company by leveraging its proven track record in navigating mining and energy approvals across WA.

As a specialist consultancy deeply embedded in the mining sector, ResourcesWA offers integrated technical and regulatory expertise, ensuring a streamlined, compliant and cost-effective pathway to production.

The appointment marks a key step in positioning Star Minerals to meet its Q1 2026 mining start target with confidence.

Tumblegum South is a standout deposit for near term gold production, sitting on a granted mining lease just 40km from Meekatharra near underfed mills owned by Westgold Resources (ASX:WGX) and Catalyst Metals (ASX:CYL).

Robust gold prices

SMS managing director Ashley Jones said the company is pleased to be working with ResourcesWA to secure the approvals required to begin mining at the Tumblegum South gold project.

“At this time of robust gold prices, it is fantastic to have a resource on granted mining tenure that we can progress toward production,” he said.

“Star Minerals’ goal is to transition to gold producer in early 2026, generating cash flows”.

The company’s updated production target for the project ranges from 167,000t at 2.43g/t gold producing 11,800oz gold at a gold price of A$3,000/oz, to 255,000t at 2.16g/t gold producing 15,900oz gold at a gold price of A$3,800/oz, with current spot prices sitting at A$5000/oz.

Companies like Auric Mining (ASX:AWJ) have shown the ability to take relatively small resources through to production and generate millions to fund themselves, all at gold prices that pale in comparison to today’s bullion cost of US$3250/oz.

A recent $1.6m capital raise has allowed explorer to move swiftly through infill and extension drilling, approvals, environmental studies, and a feasibility study towards the decision to mine.

Listen: Star's Ashley Jones joins Barry FitzGerald on the Explorers Podcast

Upcoming drilling

Jones said upcoming drilling will target inferred resources where the current drill spacing of 25m x 25m will come down to 12.5m x 12.5m, aiming to increase the resource confidence from inferred to indicated in the shallow areas defined in the scoping study pit schedule.

“Extensional drilling to the NW of the proposed pit location will test for similar mineralised structures identified in the airborne magnetics structural interpretation,” he said.

This article was developed in collaboration with Star Minerals, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.