Ora Banda’s Sand King gold mine in Western Australia has hit a milestone, with first ore intersected just four months after portal establishment.
Sand King forms part of the Davyhurst gold project and will play a key role in Ora Banda’s drive to hit an annual production outlook of 140,000–160,000 ounces of gold in the 2025–26 financial year (FY26).
The first ore milestone means the mine remains on track to deliver first stoping ore in the March 2025 quarter, with steady-state production of approximately 60,000 ounces per annum expected to commence in the June quarter.
Ora Banda managing director Luke Creagh said the milestone came quickly for the company.
“Reaching first ore at the Sand King underground mine is exciting, especially considering that this milestone has been achieved less than four months after establishing the portal, and 14 months after the first drill hole targeting underground was completed,” he said.
“The grade control and surface drilling has confirmed, enhanced and extended known mineralisation and we consider this to be at the early stages of unlocking the full potential of the Sand King mineralised system.”
Underground drilling for grade control is currently underway at Sand King. The rig has completed 5477m to date of the planned 45,400m program.
“As the ounce production from Sand King increases month-on-month, we are set up for a strong second half of the financial year,” Creagh said.
“The combination of Riverina and Sand King high-grade ore delivers a step change to our production profile and cashflows, with a production outlook of 140,000–160,000 ounces in FY26.”
Subscribe to Australian Mining and receive the latest news on product announcements, industry developments, commodities and more.
