Maritana Minerals has increased the planned capacity of its Black Swan gold processing hub near Kalgoorlie to 2.5 million tonnes per annum, up from the 2.2Mtpa outlined in its scoping study. The revision follows front-end engineering design work by GR Engineering Services, which indicated the site's existing crushing and grinding infrastructure could support a higher processing rate.
The company is reviewing project costs to balance the larger plant against inflation pressures while deferring non-essential spending until after first gold. Alternative financing options are also being assessed to preserve capital without slowing development. If costs are favourable, the extra throughput could lift the project's production profile and support Maritana's goal of becoming a 100,000-ounce-a-year gold producer.
Site activity is ramping up, with the design of an enlarged run-of-mine pad finalised to accommodate quad side-tipping road trains and support ore blending. Key approvals for new infrastructure areas have been lodged, and Zeal Engineering has been appointed to oversee construction. A detailed LiDAR survey has been completed to create an as-built digital model of the brownfield site, helping to reduce design clashes before major works begin.
Operationally, senior site executives and an occupational health and safety manager have been appointed, and general clean-up work is underway. The lifting of the existing semi-autogenous grinding mill from its mounts is scheduled for this month as the company weighs refurbishment or replacement. Accommodation options are being progressed, including a permanent 60-room camp with potential expansion to 120 rooms, and a property in central Kalgoorlie with approval for 50 rooms is being acquired.
Utility planning is advancing, with grid connection studies underway, a diesel backup station design completed, and consultants engaged to refurbish and expand bore fields. Sterilisation and geotechnical drilling across planned infrastructure areas will assess ground conditions and confirm no shallow mineralisation beneath the footprint. Mine establishment consultant MineBuild Global has been commissioned to help restart the Boorara open pit, Cannon underground mine, and the Coote and Crake open pits, which are expected to provide the first ore sources for the hub.
Contract tendering for open pit, underground and haulage services is in progress, with awards targeted for late this year ahead of mining in early 2027. Maritana ended the March quarter with a cash balance of $229 million and listed investments of about $11 million. The company expects construction to commence in mid-2026 and first production from multiple ore sources in the second half of 2027.
