Highlights

  • St Barbara shares are up 156.67% over six months, with a 4.05% rise on 28 January.
  • The Simberi Mining Lease has been extended until 2038, aligning with current reserve-based mine life.
  • Development spending, project funding agreements and operational updates were outlined in recent disclosures.

St Barbara Ltd (ASX:SBM) recorded another share price increase on 28 January, rising 4.05% to AUD 0.77, as the gold miner announced a major regulatory milestone for its New Simberi Gold Project. The stock has gained 156.67% over the past six months, more than doubling investor capital during that period, with the latest move following confirmation of a long-term mining lease extension in Papua New Guinea.

Shares Extend Gains on Regulatory Approval

St Barbara’s share price move on Tuesday followed confirmation that Mining Lease ML 136 for the New Simberi Gold Project has been formally extended until 2038. The approval was granted under the Mining Act 1992, providing continuity of tenure for the life of the current Proven and Probable Ore Reserves outlined in the project’s feasibility study.

The company also confirmed that Lingbao Gold Group Company Ltd, its subsidiary Lingbao Gold International Company Limited, and Kumul Minerals Holdings Ltd have accepted the terms and conditions attached to the lease extension. This approval satisfies a key condition precedent linked to transactions announced in December 2025.

Simberi Project Development Update

During the December 2025 quarter, St Barbara advanced early works at the New Simberi Gold Project. Capital expenditure for the quarter totalled AUD 19 million, covering ball mill procurement, camp expansion, a water treatment plant, infrastructure upgrades and mobile fleet expansion.

The feasibility study for the project outlined annual gold production increasing to over 200,000 ounces per annum, with an estimated 13-year mine life based on Ore Reserves. All-in sustaining costs were estimated to range between US$1,100 per ounce and US$1,400 per ounce.

Progress Across Nova Scotia Assets

In Canada, St Barbara released pre-feasibility results for the 15-Mile Processing Hub in Nova Scotia, outlining production of more than 100,000 ounces per annum across an estimated 11-year mine life. The Touquoy Restart Study also outlined a potential restart scenario targeting 38,000 ounces over a 13-month period.

Subsequent to the quarter’s end, Nova Scotia regulators advised that the Touquoy restart would be assessed as an amendment to the existing Industrial Approval, rather than requiring a new environmental assessment.

Financial and Operating Snapshot

St Barbara entered 2026 with AUD 187 million in cash, bullion and listed investments as at 31 December 2025, including restricted cash. The company reported no bank debt and no hedging. Gold sales during the December quarter totalled 10,169 ounces at an average realised price of AUD 6,404 per ounce.

Simberi operations generated AUD 13 million in cash flow for the quarter, with gold production of 9,057 ounces at an all-in sustaining cost of AUD 6,518 per ounce.