The Crown Prince deposit is located at the Garden Gully gold project, near Meekatharra in WA.
The Crown Prince deposit lies within the Garden Gully gold project, situated near Meekatharra in Western Australia. NMG finalized a binding deal with BBGO in December 2024 to supply gold ore from this location. All required conditions for the OPA have either been met or waived, enabling the agreement to take effect.
Under the OPA terms, Westgold will acquire gold ore in batches ranging from 30,000 tonnes to 50,000 tonnes per month. Each batch will be tested to ensure a minimum gold grade of 1.5 grams per tonne, with certifications for grade, moisture, and recovery. The ore will travel 33 kilometers by road to the Bluebird Gold processing plant, part of Westgold’s Murchison Gold operations in Meekatharra.
NMG is advancing the Crown Prince project swiftly. The company recently purchased an industrial yard and facility in Meekatharra to serve as its operational hub. It has secured permits for clearing native vegetation and a dewatering bore license. Development of dewatering bores is complete, and pipeline construction is due to start soon. NMG is also hiring for key management roles and has opened tenders for major operational contracts.
NMG CEO Alex Passmore commented: “We are pleased to have completed this milestone and for our ore purchase agreement with Westgold Resources to have come into effect. We are developing a positive working relationship with the Westgold team. NMG is busily progressing the high-grade Crown Prince open-pit gold project towards development.” This reflects the company’s focus on efficient project execution.
Separately, Westgold Resources shared plans in December 2024 to explore a potential ten-year extension of its Fortnum Gold Operation, located 140 kilometers north of Meekatharra. This indicates broader activity in the region’s gold industry, though it remains distinct from the Crown Prince agreement.
The OPA strengthens NMG’s position in the gold market while supporting Westgold’s processing operations. Ore from Crown Prince will contribute to the Bluebird plant’s supply, aligning with regional production goals. NMG’s investments in infrastructure and permits underscore its commitment to meeting the agreement’s demands.
This collaboration highlights a practical approach to resource development in Western Australia. With the OPA now active, both companies are set to benefit from the Crown Prince deposit’s output, contributing to the area’s economic activity through 2025 and beyond.
