Stockhead
Mining approval is now in hand for Star Minerals’ (ASX:SMS) Tumblegum South project
The Australian
For junior exploration companies, the leap into production is a defining moment.
It signifies the transition from discovery of a high potential deposit to the unlocking of its commercial value through extraction and sales.
Star Minerals (ASX:SMS)
Also benefitting from a MEGA Resources deal is SMS, which is aiming for production at the Tumblegum South project in WA's Bryah Basin. It has a contained gold resource of 45,000oz on a granted mining lease, something which accelerates the pathway to production given the time it takes for WA's mines department to approve the conversion of an exploration licence.
These juniors have their eye on near-term production to unlock the commercial value of their gold projects.
Also benefitting from a MEGA Resources deal is SMS, which is aiming for production at the Tumblegum South project in WA’s Bryah Basin. It has a contained gold resource of 45,000oz on a granted mining lease, something which accelerates the pathway to production given the time it takes for WA’s mines department to approve the conversion of an exploration licence.
Inspenet
A new strategic alliance launches gold mining at Tumblegum South, with financial and operational support guaranteed. Star Minerals Limited has entered into a Right to Mine Agreement with MEGA Resources and Bain Global Resources to commence mining at the Tumblegum South gold project, with financial support guaranteed.
SuperMetalPrice
Star Minerals Advances Tumblegum South Gold Project with New Agreement
Star Minerals drives fresh momentum with MEGA Resources and Bain Global Resources. The company aims to accelerate development in Western Australia while reducing reliance on equity dilution and high-risk debt.
Star Minerals has forged a path to gold production at the Tumblegum South project in WA through a right to mine agreement with MEGA Resources and significant shareholder Bain Global Resources.
Under the agreement, Bain – the financial arm of MEGA – will provide working capital of up to $20 million, reducing the need for funding through share dilution and higher risk debt structures, to fund all grade control drilling and production to first revenue.
MEGA Resources will fund and provide mining, extraction and haulage services at Tumblegum South with mining expected to start in Q1 2026.
More recently, Indian-backed MEGA Resources has emerged as a major player. Its profit-sharing model has pulled in a host of junior miners as partners, including Rumble Resources (ASX:RTR) at its Western Queen project near Wiluna and Star Minerals (ASX:SMS), which raised $1.5m recently to bankroll a Q1 2026 start to mining at its Tumblegum South project in the Bryah Basin.
What got you talking
LinkedIn post:
A new cohort of explorers have moved into the #Bryah Basin, using updated models and different exploration techniques to revisit untested targets and an extensive alteration footprint, writes Jessica Cummins. Solara Minerals GM Jennifer Neild believes the thesis driving this renewed interest marks a shift from the formulaic grid drilling that dominated 2009’s DeGrussa nearology rush, and Star Minerals (ASX: SMS) MD Ashley Jones says it's less about the quality of the ground and more about explorers being locked into fixed geological models and methods.
Star Minerals (ASX:SMS) raises $1.5 million in a placement to fuel drilling and mining at the Tumblegum South gold project in WA.
