Riversgold has filed a mine development and closure proposal (MDCP) with the Western Australian Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration for the Northern Zone open pit at its Kalgoorlie gold project.
The submission was prepared in collaboration with MEGA Resources and Resources WA.
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The MDCP is the last major regulatory approval required before mining can commence at the Northern Zone, located 25km east of Kalgoorlie.
It combines the mining proposal and mine closure plan into a single document for assessment by the regulator.
The proposal details the scope of the open pit, the infrastructure footprint, waste rock landform, haul road access, water management, and baseline environmental and heritage studies.
Riversgold stated that the submission comes after the grant of Mining Lease M25/389 for a 21-year term in July 2026.
It also follows the lodgement of a native vegetation clearing permit application with the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation in August 2026.
All objections to the haul road miscellaneous licences L25/75 and L25/77 have been settled, with formal approval pending.
Funding for the planned mine will be provided entirely by MEGA Resources under the existing 50/50 right to mine and cooperation agreement.
Riversgold will not be required to contribute upfront development funding.
This agreement, involving Riversgold and several partners, has been extended by 12 months to 30 September 2027 to allow additional time for the necessary government approvals and the start of mining.
Further drilling is planned to define the extent of gold mineralisation at the site.
The Northern Zone deposit remains open in all directions, and the geology so far has allowed for the use of air core and reverse circulation drilling methods.
Riversgold chairman David Lenigas said: “Lodging the MDCP is a major step forward for Riversgold. With the mining lease granted, the surface vegetation clearing permit lodged and the haul road objections resolved, Northern Zone can now move towards final governmental permitting.
“Together with our mining and funding partners MEGA Resources, we are well placed to move this exciting gold project near Kalgoorlie towards breaking ground.”
