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.
Stockhead
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.
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.
NT News
Star Minerals raises $1.5 million in a placement to fuel drilling and mining at the Tumblegum South gold project in WA.
Stockhead’s Tylah Tully looks at Star Minerals (ASX:SMS), which is set to raise $1.5 million in a strategic placement to fuel drilling and mining at the Tumblegum South gold project in Western Australia.
The funds are earmarked to drill the western extension gold target outside the proposed open pit and, crucially, to finalise approvals for mining – with first production targeted for early next year.
If Solara represents the exploration play, Star Minerals exemplifies the near-term production strategy that could validate the basin's renewed gold credentials.
The company's Tumblegum South project, 40km south of Meekatharra on a granted mining lease, hosts a JORC resource of 616,000t at 2.28g/t gold for 45,000oz.
Recent drilling has delivered exceptional shallow, high-grade results including 5 metres at 30.91g/t gold (including 2m at 75.45g/t), 5m at 10.85g/t gold, and 8m at 6.96g/t gold.
