Brightstar Resources has begun processing its first ore parcel at Genesis Minerals’ Laverton Mill, marking the start of its gold production program.
The first processing campaign includes approximately 60,000 tonnes of ore at a blended grade of two grams per tonne (g/t) gold, sourced from Brightstar’s Second Fortune underground mine and stockpiles at the Lord Byron mine.
This milestone is part of Brightstar’s agreement with Genesis, which allows the company to process up to 500,000 tonnes of ore at Laverton Mill over the calendar year 2025 (CY25) and the first quarter of CY26.
“The commencement of production and cashflow in CY25 is a major milestone for Brightstar as we continue to ramp up gold production and mining operations,” Brightstar managing director Alex Rovira said.
“Second Fortune production will soon be complemented by Brightstar’s second underground mine, Fish, once in production from April 2025.
“The Fish development, which is currently on schedule and budget, represents Brightstar emerging as a multi-mine producer at a time of record Australian dollar gold prices.”
The Laverton production strategy is built around multiple ore sources, with the Second Fortune underground mine currently producing around 10,000 tonnes per month at a reconciled grade of 3.6g/t gold. Brightstar is developing the Fish underground project, which is expected to deliver its first ore in the June 2025 quarter.
The company is also leveraging existing Laverton open pit stockpiles, which total approximately 200,000 tonnes at one g/t gold.
Beyond Laverton, Brightstar continues to advance its exploration and development activities with an over 100,000m drilling program, with rigs operating at Sandstone and Cork Tree Well.
“Along with our production and development activities at the Second Fortune and Fish mines, the company continues to advance our definitive feasibility study for the restart of operations at our Menzies and Laverton assets, due for delivery early in the June quarter,” Rovira said.
“In parallel, our geology team is focused on multi rig extensional and infill drilling programs at the Sandstone gold project and Cork Tree Well (Laverton Hub), striving to rapidly grow and improve the existing mineral resources and advance the portfolio through the development pathway towards production opportunities.”
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