Develop Global Ltd. has issued its first annual production, operating cost, and capital expenditure guidance, forecasting robust cash flow growth for the 2027 fiscal year.
The guidance marks an operational milestone as the company scales up operations across its key base metals and lithium assets in New South Wales and Western Australia.
At its Woodlawn copper-zinc mine in NSW, Develop expects to process between 775,000 and 875,000 tonnes of ore at an average grade of 2.7 per cent copper equivalent, yielding 21,000 to 23,500 tonnes of contained metal.
The operation is set to provide a stable cash flow foundation, supported by forecast underlying operating costs of AU$180 million to AU$200 million.
Develop Managing Director Bill Beament said: “FY27 is the first year in which Develop provides annual guidance across production, operating costs and capital expenditure, reflecting the scale the business has now reached.”
Revenue will be further boosted in the December quarter of 2026 with the commencement of direct shipping ore (DSO) sales from the Pioneer Dome lithium mine in Western Australia.
Pioneer Dome is expected to mine 650,000 to 750,000 tonnes of ore at an average grade of 1.2 per cent lithium oxide, delivering between 7,800 and 9,000 tonnes of contained lithium metal.
Meanwhile, 2027 will serve as a primary construction year for the flagship Yitirrti copper-silver-zinc project in Western Australia, with AU$367 million to AU$406 million allocated to process plant construction, underground development, and site infrastructure. First concentrate production at Yitirrti remains on track for the June quarter of 2028.
Overall, Develop has budgeted group growth capital expenditure of AU$411 million to AU$458 million, alongside AU$30 million to AU$35 million in sustaining capital and AU$11 million to AU$13 million in targeted exploration expenditure.
Additionally, the company’s specialised underground contracting arm, Develop Mining Services, is forecast to generate revenue between AU$100 million and AU$110 million.
