Key Highlights

  • Final planned pre-mining fieldwork for the haul road and heap leach pad has been completed at the Crawford Gold Project.
  • Initial water bore drilling has been completed to support the proposed Stage 1 heap leach operation.
  • Access to Crawford has been optimised via the Leonora-Laverton Highway, entirely across Cavalier-owned tenure.
  • Preferred Mining contractor SSH Mining has inspected the site, with a Mining Services Agreement progressing towards execution.

Cavalier Resources Limited (ASX:CVR) has reported that its Crawford Stage 1 gold project in Western Australia is ready to mine, with pre-production fieldwork complete and primary mining approvals in place. The company’s interim chief executive, Daniel Tuffin, said securing project financing is now the company’s priority, and that Cavalier is reviewing all available Options to start operations.

Pre-Production Works Completed

The final planned on-site fieldwork covered geotechnical investigations for the proposed haul road and heap leach pad, along with initial water bore drilling for the Stage 1 heap leach operation and improvements to site access. The program was undertaken in early November with senior management and the chief executive on site, alongside representatives from SSH Mining, SRK Consulting and civil earthworks contractor Lambron. Geotechnical test pits were excavated along the haul road alignment and within the heap leach pad area. The company said the work proceeded as planned and that the data will be incorporated into SRK’s geotechnical assessment and engineering work.

The Crawford Gold Project is located approximately 20 kilometres east of Leonora. Cavalier describes its site access as now providing a shorter and more direct route from the Leonora-Laverton Highway, with the entire route crossing its own tenure. The company says the improved route reduces travel time and secures access for future mining operations.

Mining Contractor and Approvals

SSH Mining, a division of ASX-listed SSH Group Ltd (ASX:SSH), is Cavalier’s preferred mining contractor. Its representatives attended the site to inspect the proposed Stage 1 mining area, site access and associated development areas. The visit allowed the company’s management and SSH to review the practical requirements for commencing mining, with the proposed Mining Services Agreement progressing towards final execution.

Cavalier states that all primary mining approvals are in place. It also says site preparations are complete. The company has not provided a date for commencing mining, and the agreement with its contractor has not yet been executed. The announcement says Crawford is ready to commence mining, with the company now focused on financing.

Company Background and Portfolio

Cavalier holds interests in tenements in Western Australia collectively known as the Leonora Gold Project, the Hidden Jewel Gold Project and Ella’s Rock Li-Ni-Au Project. Those Assets are prospective for lithium, gold and nickel mineralisation. The announcement references Daniel Tuffin in both his role as Executive Technical Director and as Interim CEO.

The company’s disclosures describe a sequence of steps that has been largely completed on the technical side. Earlier pre-production work covered the design and approvals required for the operation, while the recent fieldwork provides the site information needed for geotechnical engineering of the haul road and heap leach pad. Cavalier has said that the information gathered will be incorporated into SRK’s assessment and associated engineering work, which indicates the engineering review is still in progress even though the fieldwork itself is finished. Water Supply is also addressed through the initial bore drilling, which the company has described as supporting the proposed Stage 1 heap leach operation. The announcement does not specify volumes, bore yields or the water requirements of the operation.

Closing Perspective

The update places Crawford at the point where the technical and approval work is largely finished and the funding decision becomes the determining factor. The company has not disclosed the cost of Stage 1, the proposed financing structure or a timetable for a funding decision. Future disclosures on financing, the execution of the mining services agreement and any start date for mining will indicate whether the project moves from readiness to construction.