Riversgold Eyes Mining Start as Key Permits Near Submission for Kalgoorlie Project

Riversgold is set to submit its Native Vegetation Clearing Permit application this month for the Northern Zone gold project near Kalgoorlie, with multiple regulatory workstreams nearing completion ahead of the Riversgold Northern Zone Mining Permit milestone.
By William Hadrian -
Summarise with Ai:

Riversgold advances permitting for Northern Zone gold project near Kalgoorlie

Riversgold is progressing Native Vegetation Clearing Permit (NVCP) and Mine Development and Closure Proposal (MDCP) applications for its Northern Zone Gold Project on M25/389, located approximately 25km east of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia. The NVCP applications are due for submission this month (July 2026), following the recent grant of mining licence M25/389. This marks progression through the regulatory pathway required before mining operations can commence.

What is a Native Vegetation Clearing Permit?

A Native Vegetation Clearing Permit is a mandatory approval in Western Australia that must be obtained before any land clearing for mining activities can proceed. The permit process involves comprehensive environmental assessments, including flora and fauna surveys, to evaluate potential impacts on native ecosystems. Without NVCP approval, mining operations cannot commence, making this a standard but essential regulatory step for any WA mining project. For Riversgold, securing this permit represents a critical milestone on the path toward operational status at Northern Zone.

Permit workstreams nearing completion

The company has finalised several components required for the NVCP submission, with final reports in preparation across multiple workstreams:

NVCP Components:

  • Fauna Report: Final report in preparation
  • Flora Report: Final integrated flora/vegetation report in preparation

Additional workstreams are underway for the Mine Development and Closure Proposal:

MDCP Components:

  • Heritage Report: Work area clearance survey completed, final report in preparation
  • Hydrogeology Report: Pending flood model to determine topographic boundary for topsoil placement
  • Geotech, Geology and Soil: Laboratory test results received, analysis and reporting in progress

The completion status of these workstreams demonstrates tangible progress toward the operating permit required to commence mining at Northern Zone.

Northern Zone Permit Workstreams Status

Technical Director comments on path to mining

Edward Mead, Technical Director

“Following the recent grant of M25/389, the team has advanced the key inputs required to submit the NVCP and MDCP, which will allow for the granting of the operating permit needed to commence mining operations. This work has been progressing well. A significant number of the major inputs for the submission of the NVCP have now been completed, with final deliverables (reports) nearing completion for submission. The MDCP submission will follow as we finalise additional inputs. We continue to get much closer to turning dirt at Northern Zone and I look forward to updating shareholders on progress as we move forward.”

Management commentary confirms confidence in near-term progression toward operational status, with multiple regulatory inputs nearing finalisation.

Strategic location in the Kalgoorlie goldfields

Northern Zone sits within one of Australia’s premier gold mining districts, positioned near Kalgoorlie’s “Super Pit” according to the project map.

Next steps for Riversgold

The immediate pathway involves NVCP submission this month, with the MDCP to follow as additional inputs are finalised. The operating permit remains a prerequisite before mining operations can commence at Northern Zone. Investors can track progress through these clearly defined regulatory milestones as the company advances toward operational status. Shareholders will receive updates as the permitting process continues.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Native Vegetation Clearing Permit and why does Riversgold need one?

A Native Vegetation Clearing Permit (NVCP) is a mandatory Western Australian government approval required before any land clearing for mining can begin. Riversgold must secure this permit for its Northern Zone Gold Project before it can commence mining operations on M25/389.

When will Riversgold submit its NVCP application for the Northern Zone project?

Riversgold has targeted July 2026 for the NVCP submission, with fauna and flora reports in final preparation following the recent grant of mining licence M25/389.

What is the difference between the NVCP and the MDCP that Riversgold is pursuing?

The Native Vegetation Clearing Permit (NVCP) covers environmental approvals for land clearing, while the Mine Development and Closure Proposal (MDCP) addresses the broader operational and closure planning requirements — both must be approved before Riversgold can obtain the operating permit needed to mine at Northern Zone.

Where is Riversgold's Northern Zone Gold Project located?

The Northern Zone Gold Project is located on mining licence M25/389, approximately 25 kilometres east of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia, near the region's famous Super Pit.

What regulatory steps remain before Riversgold can start mining at Northern Zone?

Riversgold must first obtain the NVCP and then the MDCP approval, after which an operating permit can be granted — only then can mining operations commence at Northern Zone.

William Hadrian
By William Hadrian
Partnerships Director
William supports Discovery Alert subscribers across Australia and overseas, helping them tailor alerts, troubleshoot technical issues, and optimise platform settings to suit their workflow.
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