Riversgold Submits Clearing Permit for Kalgoorlie Gold Project Ahead of Production
Key Takeaways
- Riversgold has submitted its Native Vegetation Clearing Permit (NVCP) application to DWER in August 2026, a prerequisite for site preparation at the Northern Zone Gold Project 25 km east of Kalgoorlie.
- The Mine Development and Closure Proposal (MDCP) — the operating approval required to commence mining — remains on track for submission to DMPE in early September 2026.
- Northern Zone is 80% owned by Riversgold and fully funded by Mega Resources under a 50/50 Mining and Co-operation Agreement, removing near-term dilution risk for shareholders.
- Mining Lease M25/389 was granted in July 2026 for a 21-year term to July 2047, providing long-term tenure security for project financing and operational planning.
- No first-production date has been disclosed; the timeline to commencement remains contingent on DWER and DMPE regulatory approval decisions.
Riversgold submits key clearing permit for Kalgoorlie gold project
Riversgold (ASX: RGL, RGLO) has submitted its Native Vegetation Clearing Permit (NVCP) application to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) over the Northern Zone Gold Project. The Northern Zone Intrusive Hosted Gold Project sits within the Kalgoorlie Gold Project, 25 km east of Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. The application has been submitted, not approved — no land clearance can occur until DWER grants the permit. The submission marks a tangible step toward production at a time when the gold price remains elevated, supporting the economic case for bringing the project online. The company’s Mine Development and Closure Proposal (MDCP) submission remains on track for early September 2026.
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What the permit means for the path to production
Two parallel approval tracks are advancing the Northern Zone project toward mining operations:
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Native Vegetation Clearing Permit (NVCP) — submitted to DWER in August 2026, this permit authorises land clearing under Part V of the WA Environmental Protection Act 1986. No physical clearing can occur without it.
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Mine Development and Closure Proposal (MDCP) — the actual operating approval needed to commence mining, on track for submission to WA’s Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration (DMPE) in early September 2026.
Each submission de-risks the pathway to first production. The NVCP is a prerequisite for site preparation, while the MDCP governs the mining operation itself. Both are required before Northern Zone can transition from permitted asset to producing mine. For investors tracking the timeline to first revenue, these approvals represent the critical gating steps between resource and cash flow.
Understanding mining permits in Western Australia
Mining projects in Western Australia cannot commence operations without securing sequential regulatory approvals. These permits exist to manage environmental impact and ensure site rehabilitation standards are met. Before any mining activity can begin, two key approvals are required:
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Native vegetation clearing approval — issued by DWER under Part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986. This permit allows the removal of vegetation necessary for mine infrastructure.
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Operating approval (MDCP) — submitted to DMPE, this document governs the mining operation itself, including extraction methods, closure plans, and environmental management protocols.
For investors, permitting represents the bridge between exploration success and commercial production. Each approval reduces execution risk and converts a geological asset into an operational one. The table below sets out the key milestones and their current status:
| Milestone | Authority | Purpose | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mining Lease M25/389 | — | 21-year tenure to July 2047, renewable | Granted July 2026 |
| NVCP application | DWER | Authorises land clearing | Submitted August 2026 |
| MDCP | DMPE | Operating approval to mine | On track, early September 2026 |
Project ownership, funding and the investment case
Northern Zone is a planned open pit project, 80% owned by Riversgold and 20% by Oracle Power Plc. The project is to be fully funded by Mega Resources under a 50/50 Mining and Co-operation Agreement announced in September 2025. This funding structure removes near-term dilution risk and accelerates the path to production without additional capital requirements from Riversgold shareholders.
The project sits on Mining Lease M25/389, granted in July 2026 for a 21-year term to July 2047, renewable. The lease provides long-term tenure security, a critical factor for project financing and operational planning.
Geographically, Northern Zone benefits from its proximity to the Kalgoorlie “Super Pit” and Golden Mile — established infrastructure, a skilled labour pool, and processing capacity within reach. For a project approaching production, location matters. The combination of secured tenure, external funding, and established regional infrastructure positions Northern Zone as a lower-risk path to gold production.
Ed Mead, Technical Director
“The completion and submission of the Native Vegetation Clearing Permit (NVCP) application to the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) puts us another step closer to the Company monetising our key Northern Zone Gold Project near Kalgoorlie. The gold price continues to remain strong, and this is a great time to be on the path to production. We remain firmly on track to submit our Mine Development and Closure Proposal (MDCP) to the Department of Mines Petroleum and Energy (DMPE) in early September, and we are working very closely with our funding partners, MEGA Resources, on finalising mine planning and scheduling.”
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What’s next for Riversgold
The company’s immediate focus is the submission of its Mine Development and Closure Proposal (MDCP) to DMPE in early September 2026. In parallel, management is working with funding partner Mega Resources on finalising mine planning and scheduling. The NVCP approval from DWER remains pending.
Near-term catalysts for investors include:
- MDCP submission — scheduled for early September 2026, the operating approval that governs mining activity.
- NVCP approval — decision timeline not disclosed, but approval permits land clearing to commence.
- Mine planning finalisation — ongoing work with Mega Resources to lock in scheduling and operational parameters.
The company has not disclosed a first-production date. Each approval brings Northern Zone closer to commercial operation, but the timeline from submission to commencement remains contingent on regulatory approval timelines.
Ready to Learn More About the Northern Zone Gold Project?
Riversgold is advancing a fully funded, 80%-owned gold project just 25 km east of Kalgoorlie, backed by a 50/50 funding agreement and a 21-year mining lease. With the Native Vegetation Clearing Permit now submitted and the Mine Development and Closure Proposal on track for early September, the pathway to production is becoming clearer.
To explore the full project timeline, ownership structure, and investment case, visit the Riversgold investor centre. All the latest ASX announcements, technical updates, and regulatory milestones are available to help you assess the Northern Zone opportunity in detail.