Rox Resources Hits 12.46g/t Gold as Youanmi Ore Drives Extend 125m Beyond Plan
Rox Resources (ASX: RXL) has positioned itself as a standout gold developer with its recently completed Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) demonstrating robust economics for the Youanmi Gold Project in Western Australia. The high-grade underground project boasts an impressive Probable Ore Reserve of 3.8Mt @ 4.4 g/t Au for 546,000 ounces and a substantial Mineral Resource of 16.2Mt @ 4.4 g/t Au for 2.3 million ounces.
The PFS outlines a compelling production profile exceeding 100,000 ounces per annum, with total production of 786,000 ounces over a 7.7-year mine life at an attractive All-In Sustaining Cost (AISC) of $1,676/oz. At the base case gold price of $3,100/oz, the project delivers a pre-tax NPV8 of $486 million and IRR of 42%, while at current gold prices around $3,700/oz, these metrics jump to a pre-tax NPV8 of $797 million and IRR of 62%.
“The Youanmi Gold Project presents a unique opportunity in the Australian gold sector – a high-grade underground project with existing infrastructure, strong economics, and exceptional exploration upside,” said Phillip Wilding, Managing Director and CEO of Rox Resources. “With dewatering activities already underway and our recent $40 million capital raise, we’re accelerating toward early underground access while completing our Definitive Feasibility Study.”
The Youanmi project stands out for its exceptional grade profile, with the underground resource grading 5.5 g/t Au for 1.74 million ounces. The company has recently completed a significant 46,000-meter drilling program targeting resource conversion and near-mine growth opportunities, with an updated Mineral Resource Estimate expected in Q3 2025.
Early drilling results have been encouraging, with the company identifying multiple exploration targets with potential to add between 1.1 and 1.8 million ounces at grades ranging from 4.7 g/t to 7.0 g/t Au. These exploration targets, including the high-grade Link zone (596-875Koz), Kathleen (193-355Koz), and Pollard (110-269Koz) areas, represent significant potential upside beyond the current production plan.
Youanmi benefits from significant existing infrastructure, including an established decline extending to approximately 600 meters below surface, multiple pits, and high-volume evaporation ponds. The company has already commenced dewatering activities at the United North and Main Pits, representing a significant step toward underground access.
The project’s development timeline includes:
Recent metallurgical testwork has confirmed a straightforward processing route with strong recoveries of 92.6% across the life of mine. The flowsheet incorporates conventional crushing, grinding and flotation, with concentrate treated via the Albion Process and flotation tailings processed through conventional CIL leaching.
Initial results have demonstrated excellent sulphur recovery to concentrate of 98.3%, containing 91.6% of the gold. The Albion Process testwork is currently underway to finalise mill design parameters.
The Albion Process represents a significant advancement in refractory gold ore processing, providing an economical alternative to traditional pressure oxidation methods.
For investors unfamiliar with the technology, the Albion Process combines ultrafine grinding with oxidation under atmospheric conditions to break down sulphide minerals that encapsulate gold particles. This makes previously inaccessible gold amenable to conventional cyanide leaching.
The advantages of this approach include:
For Youanmi, where approximately 15% of the material requires oxidative treatment, the Albion Process offers an ideal balance of capital efficiency and metallurgical performance, contributing to the project’s strong economics.
Rox Resources is well-capitalized with $57 million in cash following a recent $40 million institutional placement. This funding provides the foundation for accelerating early works while completing the Definitive Feasibility Study. The company has also appointed debt advisors to progress project financing discussions.
The company’s major shareholders include QGold (21.8%), Hawke’s Point (17.7%), and Venus Metals (7.4%), alongside institutional investors holding 44.5% of the register.
Rox Resources represents a compelling investment opportunity in the Australian gold sector for several key reasons:
With a clear development pathway, strong financial position, and multiple near-term catalysts including an updated resource estimate, exploration results, and Definitive Feasibility Study completion, Rox Resources is strategically positioned to deliver significant shareholder value as it advances Youanmi toward production.
Find out why Rox Resources’ Youanmi Gold Project offers a compelling investment opportunity with its high-grade underground resource, robust economics, and significant exploration upside. For more information about this emerging Australian gold developer and its flagship project that’s targeting production of over 100,000 ounces per annum, visit Rox Resources’ website today.