Rox Resources (ASX: RXL) has reported continuing progress in drilling at the United North underground mine within its flagship Youanmi gold project in Western Australia.
The company said the United North mineralised shear had been crosscut as expected within the 2341mRL level access—the first planned level in the mine—and will soon be prepared for turn-outs, strike driving, and stockpiling of ore.
The mapped placement of the shear zone contacts reportedly match with the interpretation of the United North definitive feasibility study ore lode, confirming the expectation that the shear will be visibly distinct and therefore easily controlled during operations.
“This will allow efficient economic protocols to be implemented during mining development and stoping operations to minimise ore dilution and ore loss,” the company said.
Resource Infill Drilling
Surface resource infill drilling at United North has returned significant high-grade intercepts including 5 metres at 14.15 grams per tonne gold from 120m, 15m at 3.63g/t gold from 173m, 7m at 6.29g/t gold from 183m, and 9m at 2.47g/t gold from 139m.
Drilling infilled the top two production levels to a 20m x 20m spacing, which has “suitably derisked” initial production fronts scheduled for later this year.
This work has also suggested the potential to increase production with additional levels and stopes from the initial mine plan.
Underground drilling design remains well advanced with Rox’s preferred drilling contractor scheduled to start work next month, focused on infilling the first two years of production to a nominal 20m x 20m spacing that will be tightened in areas that require greater definition.
Dewatering Activities
Dewatering of the main pit at United North is progressing well, with discharge directed to the evaporation ponds, as well as to the Rebel and Kathleen pits.
The work has already exposed the historical main decline, and the planned Pollard decline portal position is expected to be exposed by mid-year.
More than 90% of the stored water has been pumped to date.
Once the target is reached, pumping will transition underground with pit clean-up and decline face support to follow.
Construction Progress
Following an initial 60-room expansion, the existing camp capacity of 111 rooms will be further expanded to support construction and underground mining activities at United North.
An additional 240 rooms are scheduled for completion before mid-year, including 120 permanent high-spec rooms, 120 temporary construction rooms, and a dry mess facility.
Mining offices and changeroom facilities are now on-site and fully commissioned, providing new and spacious facilities for the underground workforce.
Construction is also underway on the temporary main pit power station that will service the Main and Pollard underground mines until the commissioning of the permanent hybrid gas, solar, and battery power station planned for mid-2027.
Pathway to Production
Rox managing director Phill Wilding said Rox had “maximised the momentum to make real progress" at Youanmi since the final investment decision last month.
“Mining continues to advance at United North, with [mining contractor] Byrnecut successfully cross-cutting the ore body to show clear visual control—another exciting milestone,” he said.
“Additionally, surface drilling in the upper United North levels has intersected significant mineralisation, which appears likely to add more ounces—further increasing our confidence in achieving forecast production ounces from United North within the first years of production.”
“The work on site at Youanmi is advancing at pace and in line with our pathway towards production, further solidifying our position as one of Western Australia’s next high-grade gold producers.”
