Marmota Begins Mine Planning at Aurora Tank as Gawler Gold Project Advances Toward Production
Marmota (ASX: MEU) has commenced work on a Stage 1 mine plan for its Gawler Gold project in South Australia, marking a key step toward the development of its flagship Aurora Tank deposit.
The company said block modelling for Aurora Tank has been completed, with a maiden resource nearing finalisation, and project development now accelerating into mine planning and design.
Executive chair Dr Colin Rose said the transition from exploration to mine planning reflects growing confidence in the company’s strategy to establish a low-cost, open-pit operation within its Gawler Gold portfolio.
Scope of Works Underway
Marmota has engaged specialist Orelogy Consulting to complete the mine planning study over an eight-week period.
The scope includes Whittle optimisation modelling, pit design, mine scheduling, and sensitivity analyses across cost and pricing parameters to form the foundation for future feasibility and permitting stages.
The work will determine pit geometry, ramp design, waste and ore stockpile locations, and will deliver a base case mining schedule with estimated production and cash flow forecasts.
Dr Rose said the study represents a crucial stage in moving the company’s gold assets toward production.
“With block modelling complete and our maiden resource imminent, the commencement of mine planning marks an exciting new chapter for Marmota,” he said.
Arc of Gold Deposits Strengthens Scale
The Gawler Gold project comprises a cluster of deposits forming an arc of gold mineralisation across the northern Gawler Craton, anchored by Aurora Tank and extending through Marmota’s 90%-owned Golden Moon joint venture.
Recent drilling at Greenewood and Mainwood returned standout results including 24 metres at 12 grams per tonne gold from 20m, 28m at 6.4g/t from 44m and 16m at 6.5g/t from 20m, while Marmota recorded hits of up to 107g/t gold at Campfire Bore, confirming the potential for multiple open-pit operations.
The company said its ownership of all unmined deposits within the district — either wholly or through majority interests — creates clear economies of scale for shared infrastructure, processing and logistics.
Aurora Tank continues to demonstrate high-grade mineralisation with strong metallurgical recoveries and heap leach potential—attributes Marmota sees as aligned with its strategy to develop a simple, low-capex gold operation capable of self-funding future expansion.
“Our immediate focus is on completing the mine plan at Aurora Tank, which will establish the foundation for Marmota’s first stage of gold production from the Gawler region,” Dr Rose said, adding that the company is moving decisively toward production readiness..