New Murchison Gold Limited (ASX: NMG) has achieved a major milestone with the official commencement of production at its Crown Prince Gold Mine in Western Australia.
The development marks the company’s transition from explorer to producer, as it delivers its first gold-bearing ore under an Ore Purchase Agreement (OPA) with Westgold Resources Limited (ASX: WGX).
The initial 10,000 tonnes of ore have been crushed, assayed, stockpiled, and are now being transported 36 kilometres south to Westgold’s Bluebird processing plant.
The company expects to ramp up deliveries to 40,000 tonnes per month during September and October 2025.
NMG’s first gold production comes just months after the company’s June 2025 development decision and during a period of record-high Australian dollar gold prices, underlining the financial significance of the achievement.
Notably, production has commenced ahead of the anticipated 30 September 2025 start date agreed in the OPA.
Chief Executive Officer Alex Passmore said the early production start demonstrates the advantages of its partnership with Westgold and positions NMG for growth.
“After executing the OPA in December 2024, the company is very pleased to bring the Crown Prince Gold Mine into production at record Australian dollar gold prices and ahead of the 30 September 2025 Anticipated Commencement Date established in the OPA,” said Passmore.
“We look forward to further growth from both Crown Prince Gold Mine and the Company’s regional portfolio.”
The collaboration also highlights Westgold’s role in enabling new producers to rapidly enter production through access to its established processing network. Westgold Managing Director & CEO Wayne Bramwell said:
“Westgold operates four processing hubs across two of Western Australia’s richest goldfields. In providing a processing solution for the Crown Prince ore, we have fast-tracked New Murchison from explorer to producer and can fully leverage our extensive processing infrastructure.
“This is a capital-efficient template for what can be achieved when a major mining company and a dynamic junior explorer cooperate, not compete.
“Westgold congratulates the New Murchison team, and we look forward to working alongside them as they grow.”
Looking forward, NMG is targeting a ramp-up to steady 40,000 tonne per month ore deliveries by October 2025.
The company will also continue development drilling at Crown Prince to extend mine life and increase throughput potential while pursuing exploration opportunities across the Abbotts Greenstone Belt with the aim of delivering additional feed sources.
