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Highlights
- Hanking Gold has received approvals to begin processing plant site clearance and mining activity.
- The company has ordered an 18 MW ball mill from CITIC Heavy Industries.
- Site clearance, road construction and installation of a 258-room camp advance.
- Hanking Gold maintains its target of commencing gold production in Q1 2028.
Hanking Gold International Limited has moved the Mt Bundy Gold Project into its next development phase, securing key regulatory approvals, starting site clearance and placing an order for the processing plants largest equipment item. With work advancing across power, gas, accommodation, roads and tendering, the company is preparing to begin processing plant construction in the third quarter of 2026.
Primary Gold Pty Ltd, Hanking Golds wholly owned subsidiary, received the processing plant site clearance permit from the Northern Territorys Department of Lands, Planning and Environment. It also obtained a Notice of Authority to Commence Mining Activity from the Department of Mining and Energy.
The approvals were granted subject to conditions under DML1209-01 and in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 2019 and section 79A (1) of the Mineral Titles Act 2010.
The company commenced site clearance work immediately after receiving the approvals. Invitations have also been issued to qualified mining tenderers, while the company prepares the supporting tender documents.
Existing Approvals Support the Development Pathway
Mt Bundy currently contains 3.47 million ounces of gold resources and 1.88 million ounces of gold reserves under the JORC 2012 Code. All reported resources and reserves are located within existing mining licences.
The project received environmental approval for underground mining in 2020. Environmental approval covering open-pit mining, the processing plant and associated infrastructure followed in 2023.
Chief executive officer and president Dr Qiu Yumin said the latest approvals would allow the company to begin processing plant construction activities, including the run-of-mine facility used for ore handling.
Hanking Gold remains on schedule to commence processing plant construction in Q3 2026 and target initial gold production in Q1 2028.
Ball Mill Order Secures a Critical Plant Component
Following the regulatory approvals and a competitive tender process, Hanking Gold selected CITIC Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. as the ball mill supplier for Mt Bundy. The company has paid an initial deposit to secure the equipment under its agreement with CITIC.
The ball mill represents the processing plants largest single equipment item by value and has the longest lead time. CITIC has previously supplied major processing equipment to Hanking Golds operations in China and has an Australian subsidiary supporting installation and after-sales services.
After reviewing feedback from the processing plant tender process and conducting further modelling, Hanking Gold selected a larger and more powerful ball mill than the unit contemplated in the definitive feasibility study.
The ordered equipment is an 18 MW CITIC HIC ball mill measuring 7.92 metres by 13.12 metres EGL. It will operate through two 9,000 kW units and has a guaranteed throughput of 688 tonnes per hour at a grind size of no more than 75 micrometres. The company said the configuration would support gold recovery and provide operational flexibility.
Infrastructure Work Advances Across Multiple Fronts
Beyond the processing plant, Hanking Gold has selected a preferred build-own-operate partner and route for the projects gas pipeline. Early work has commenced, with gas transportation targeted by the end of 2027.
A preferred build-own-operate partner has also been selected for the gas power station. Key commercial terms have been agreed, generating sets have been reserved and the final contract is being prepared.
Road construction has reached the processing plant site, while site clearance is underway. Earthworks for the accommodation camp have been completed and certified, allowing installation of the 258-room facility to commence.
Preferred partners have also been selected for camp catering and the mine-site vehicle fleet, including buses and an ambulance. These appointments remain subject to final documentation and contract execution.
The company has selected preferred EPC/EPCM contractors for processing plant construction. Meanwhile, mining and transmission line structure construction tender documents are being prepared, with initial invitations issued to qualified potential tenderers.
Leadership Team Expands as Delivery Work Builds
The company has appointed Adam Kinna as project manager and site-based leader responsible for coordinating construction activities. Ben Wang has joined as mining manager and will oversee Mt Bundys mining operations.
Hanking Gold noted the project could create more than 400 jobs and contribute to the regional economy through taxes, rates, rents and royalties. The company continues to target Q1 2028 for the start of gold production.
