- 01Drillforce readies for Brightstar’s $48m Lord Byron contract.
- 02Wubin upgrade lifts capacity beyond its 110ktpa licence.
- 03Collar Keeper sales remain strong; new versions advance.
Integrated mining services group Aquirian (ASX: AQN) has advanced operational readiness activities in preparation for subsidiary company Drillforce to mobilise to Brightstar Resources’ (ASX: BTR) Lord Byron gold project in Western Australia later this month.
Work during the three months to end September included the preparation of drill rigs and support equipment, development of operating and technology systems, workforce readiness, and site mobilisation planning for the $48 million contract.
The Lord Byron agreement forms part of an initial five-year strategic framework agreement with Brightstar that also covers the Lady Shenton and Cork Tree Well projects.
The Drillforce fleet has been configured with Aquirian’s patented automated Collar Keeper System, positioning it to compete on safety, operating efficiency with orebody protection, and ideal fragmentation at the core of the value proposition.
Wubin Upgrade Program
Aquirian completed a planned upgrade program at its Wubin bulk emulsion manufacturing, storage, and logistics facility (known as the Wubin Energetics Hub) during the quarter.
The upgrade resulted in increased production and storage capacity beyond the 110,000-tonnes-per-annum licence.
Located 270 kilometres north of Perth and operated by subsidary company Western Energetics, the upgrade provides the group with greater operating flexibility, while also supporting a broader customer and product mix and establishing additional capacity for future growth.
Toll manufacturing at Wubin also continued, while the group progressed opportunities to expand utilisation to meet third-party and internally generated demand.
With major upgrade works now finalised, Aquirian’s scope of work for the remainder of the 2027 financial year will focus on customer opportunities, product diversification, throughput, and utilisation of the Wubin facility.
Technology Portfolio
Aquirian believes its quality-focused technology portfolio differentiates the group from its price-based competitors.
Sales of its patented Collar Keeper drilling and blasting tool (offered through subsidiary company TBS Mining Solutions) remained strong during the quarter across domestic and international channels.
A new automated version of the product is moving into operational deployment through Drillforce, providing a direct platform to demonstrate the technology in production and moving Aquirian closer to its “bootless bench” strategic vision.
Validation of the next-generation biodegradable Collar Keeper continued during the period, with the Gen II product manufactured under test conditions and first commercial units (via Drillforce) expected before year end.
Aquirian also continued development of its digital architecture to support a mining services platform focused on connecting field operations, equipment data, and enterprise reporting to improve safety, operational visibility, and customer transparency.
Building on Past Performance
Managing director Greg Patching said the first quarter of FY27 had seen the group build on operating platforms and performance established in the previous year.
“During the quarter we completed a planned upgrade at Wubin within budget, our toll manufacturing continued, and our team advanced operational readiness for Drillforce to mobilise its technology-enabled fleet to Brightstar’s Lord Byron project,” he said.
“Collar Keeper sales remained high supported by new customers in Africa and final testing on our biodegradable Collar Keeper product is underway with commercial sales expected in the current quarter.
“Our tendering pipeline is strong and our focus remains on safe customer delivery, increasing contracted positions, and demonstrating the full value of our integrated Drillforce offering through our proprietary technology.”
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