ASX-listed Rox Resources has launched “head-first into 2026”, accelerating mine development and advancing processing plant works at its Youanmi gold project in Western Australia.

The company reported on Wednesday that underground development at the United North area had reached about 420 m, with the ventilation portal now established, following the transition to 24-hour mining operations. Dewatering of the Youanmi Main Pit is also well advanced and remains on track for completion in the first quarter of calendar year 2026, supporting continued site access and development activities.

Front-end engineering design (FEED) works for the processing plant are progressing, with engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) tenders received and currently under review. Early procurement has commenced, with initial mill component orders placed and work advancing on major long-lead infrastructure, including power generation and oxygen supply.

MD and CEO Phill Wilding said in a statement that the company had made strong progress over recent weeks as it advanced towards production.

“Rox Resources has launched head-first into 2026, with significant progress made over the past few weeks as we move closer towards production at our Youanmi Gold Project,” he said.

“Mining at United North has accelerated following our transition to 24-hour operations, with the main decline progressing to plan and the ventilation decline established.”

Wilding added that development of the processing plant had also moved forward materially.

“We have also advanced development of our processing plant, with FEED works under way, the first major component commitment received, and tenders for EPC currently under review. So far, indications on pricing and lead times are in line with definitive feasibility study (DFS) assumptions.”

Construction crews have returned to site, focusing on the next phase of accommodation camp expansion and preparation for the initial underground workshop facilities. Phase 1 of the camp expansion was completed in December, adding 60 high-spec rooms and lifting total on-site capacity to 111 rooms. Rox plans to expand camp capacity to about 350 rooms in the first half of 2026 to support operational growth.

At United North, drillhole design and planning have commenced to support the initial stages of mining in 2026. Surface grade control and infill drilling is scheduled to start this quarter to derisk early production fronts, while underground drilling is expected to begin early next quarter, subject to the outcome of drilling tenders currently under review.

Processing plant development has continued alongside mine works. Rox engaged Maca Interquip in December to undertake FEED for the plant, while running a formal open tender process for the EPC contract. Tenders for the power station build-own-operate model and fine grind circuit have been received, with oxygen plant tenders still live.

The company has committed to the purchase of the fine grind mill from Glencore Technology, with delivery expected in the December quarter of 2026. Rox said pricing remained in line with DFS estimates.

Wilding also highlighted the strengthening of the company’s technical leadership, with the appointment of Jonathan Streeter as general manager – geology.

“Jonathan brings extensive experience in operational and exploration geology which will be imperative as we embark on this significant growth phase,” said Wilding.

“We have been actively recruiting for key roles within our geology teams as we prepare to intersect our first ore, commence grade control and infill drilling, and prepare surface exploration programmes at a host of prospects across our tenement package.”

Wilding said the company had entered the new year with renewed momentum and confidence.

“The team at Rox Resources has entered 2026 with a surge of energy and optimism, fuelled by the progress we have made on our pathway towards production.

“We are looking forward to the weeks and months to come, as we evolve from a developer to one of the highest-grade new gold producers in Western Australia.”