Riversgold clears heritage hurdle at Northern Zone as Kalgoorlie project advances towards mining Proactive uses images sourced from Shutterstock

Riversgold Ltd (ASX:RGL, FRA:RGV, OTC:RVSGF) has advanced plans for potential mining at its Northern Zone Gold Project near Kalgoorlie in Western Australia, with a preliminary heritage survey clearing the way for planned development activities.

The company said the initial heritage report found no identified heritage sites across key tenements within the broader Kalgoorlie Gold Project, effectively clearing the entire area for proposed mining and drilling programs.

Heritage clearance supports development pathway

The result supports Riversgold’s push to advance the project towards a Mine Development and Closure Plan (MDCP), a key regulatory milestone that would allow mining to proceed once a Mining Lease is granted.

The company noted that conversion of the Northern Zone tenement to a Mining Lease is already well advanced and expected shortly, tightening the timeline towards potential development.

The heritage survey covered multiple tenements, including P25/2888, P25/2848 and P25/2651 (M25/389), and was conducted in consultation with the Kapurn, Kalamaia and Karlaku Traditional Owners.

Northern Zone Project Map showing the cleared Heritage Survey areas.

While the current report remains preliminary and subject to final confirmation, Riversgold said it does not expect any material changes in the final version, which is due within about four weeks and will form part of the MDCP submission.

Chairman David Lenigas described the outcome as a “tremendous step forward for the long-term aspirations of Riversgold and its co-development partners and stakeholders”, noting that the cleared areas include zones earmarked for initial mining operations as well as future surface and deeper drilling campaigns.

Established gold setting near Kalgoorlie

The Northern Zone project sits around 25 kilometres east of Kalgoorlie, within one of Australia’s most prolific gold districts and in proximity to major operations such as the Kalgoorlie Super Pit.

Northern Zone Project Map showing proximity to the Kalgoorlie "Super Pit", Golden Mile/Fimiston.

Geological work to date has identified gold mineralisation within a tonalite-trondhjemite intrusion (TTI), with horizontal mineralised zones and elevated background gold values. Drilling has intersected mineralisation perpendicular to these zones, and the absence of water to depths of around 60 metres has supported efficient exploration using existing techniques.

Funding and partnership structure in place

The heritage clearance also aligns with Riversgold’s broader development strategy, which includes a Right to Mine and Co-Operation Agreement with MEGA Resources.

Story Continues

Under the agreement, MEGA will fund development and mining activities at Northern Zone, with profits shared on a 50/50 basis — removing a key funding burden as the project moves closer to potential production.

Momentum builds towards mining decision

In recent months, Riversgold has been steadily building momentum at the Kalgoorlie project, expanding its tenement footprint and reporting high-grade gold hits from drilling aimed at extending the Northern Zone mineralised system.

With the Mining Lease decision approaching and the final heritage report expected shortly, the next phase for Riversgold will centre on completing the MDCP and positioning Northern Zone for initial mining activity under the partnership structure with MEGA.

While further drilling is still needed to define the full extent of mineralisation, the latest clearance removes a key potential hurdle, tightening the timeline between exploration success and possible production.

View Comments