Rox Resources is accelerating development at its 100 per cent-owned Youanmi gold project in Western Australia, with underground mining, drilling and infrastructure works progressing in parallel as the company moves closer to ore production.

At the United North underground area, Rox has completed approximately 750 metres of advance to date, including around 512 metres in the decline, as mining rates continue to increase.

The turnout location to the first level is expected by the end of the month, marking a key milestone in opening up initial production fronts.

Rox Resources managing director and chief executive officer Phill Wilding said momentum at the site continues to build.

“Works at our Youanmi gold project continue to build, with underground mining at United North accelerating in recent weeks,” Wilding said.

“The decline has been advancing strongly, and first-level access is expected shortly, which will be yet another key milestone for Rox as we open up initial ore production fronts.

“Surface drilling is also underway to close data gaps in the upper United North levels, with the objective of enhancing early mine inventory and increasing confidence in the first years of production.”

Surface resource infill drilling is underway at United North, targeting both initial production stopes and resource growth areas that could be fast-tracked into the mine plan.

Underground drilling is also being designed to infill the first two years of production to a nominal 20 metres by 20 metres spacing, further strengthening early production confidence.

Beyond underground works, dewatering at the Youanmi main pit remains on schedule, with discharge flowing to evaporation ponds and nearby pits.

The program is expected to expose the historic Main Decline and planned Pollard Decline portal positions in the first quarter of calendar 2026.

Rox has also appointed Interquip as preferred engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for the Youanmi processing plant, with key long-lead items already secured, including mills, crushers and elution columns.

“The engagement of Interquip as our preferred EPC contractor represented a significant step toward plant construction, with long-lead items already secured,” Wilding said.

“Site infrastructure is also expanding in parallel with mining activities, ensuring the project facilities are ready ahead of our transition toward ore production.”

In October 2025, the company received final regulatory approval for Youanmi from the Western Australian Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration and the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.

Not long after this, underground mining commenced, with Rox’s mining partner, Byrnecut Australia, beginning work on the United North exploration decline as its first operation.

Currently, camp capacity is being expanded to support construction and underground mining, while works approvals and major tenders for power supply, oxygen plant and underground diamond drilling continue to progress.

“With the final investment decision remaining on track for this quarter, we continue to strengthen Rox’s position as one of Western Australia’s next new high-grade gold producers,” Wilding said.

The company’s pathway to production remains aligned with its definitive feasibility study and funding milestones, as Rox advances towards first gold at Youanmi.

Subscribe to Australian Mining and receive the latest news on product announcements, industry developments, commodities and more.