Beta Hunt Infrastructure Investment Enables 2Mtpa Run Rate
Released
Released
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ASX Announcement
Westgold Resources Limited
ABN 60 009 260 306
ASX | TSX: WGX
T: +61 8 9462 3400
E: perth.reception@westgold.com.au
W: westgold.com.au
Level 13, 200 St Georges Terrace
Perth WA 6000
PO Box 7068, Cloisters Square WA 6850
21 October 2026
Beta Hunt infrastructure investment enables
2Mtpa run rate
Infrastructure investment removes legacy constraints and establishes
a platform for consistent delivery
Perth, Western Australia, 21 October 2026: Westgold Resources Limited (ASX | TSX: WGX –
Westgold or the Company) has removed legacy mine infrastructure constraints to establish a
platform that supports a sustained 2Mtpa mining rate at the Beta Hunt underground mine at
Kambalda.
Beta Hunt achieved a record annualised mining rate of 2Mtpa in September 2026, before the
interim primary ventilation system was commissioned (ahead of schedule at month-end). With
the supporting infrastructure now in place, the Company is targeting sustained performance at
this rate from Q2 FY27.
Westgold acquired Beta Hunt in August 2024 as a high-quality orebody constrained by ageing
infrastructure and limited drilling. Before acquisition, the operation had not sustained mining
rates above 1.4Mtpa.
Westgold has systematically removed these constraints through investment in drilling,
ventilation, dewatering, water supply, power distribution, mine services, underground
infrastructure and mine design optimisation, establishing Beta Hunt now as a modern
underground operation.
Highlights
Mine infrastructure upgrades completed enabling a material lift in mining rates -
2Mtpa annualised mining rate achieved in September.
Beta Hunt targeting a consistent 2Mtpa mining rate from Q2 FY27
Westgold Managing Director and CEO Wayne Bramwell commented:
“Prior to acquisition Westgold identified that Beta Hunt needed investment in two areas to
operationally derisk and enable growth of this large underground mine. Our team has now
removed key operational constraints by replacing or upgrading key mine infrastructure and
completed over 85km of diamond drilling in the last 2 years, adding +1.1Moz of reserve at
approximately $27/oz.
Completion of these engineering upgrades now establishes Beta Hunt as a modern mining
operation capable of sustaining 2Mtpa mining rates from Q2 FY27 onwards.”
Beta Hunt infrastructure investment enables 2Mtpa run rate
21 October 2026
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Infrastructure works support 2Mtpa mining rates
Since the acquisition of Beta Hunt in August 2024, Westgold has focused on removing mine
infrastructure constraints that historically limited Beta Hunt average mine output at ~1.4Mtpa.
The execution of these upgrades is completed and will enable reliable performance at 2Mtpa
from Q2 FY27, demonstrated by September performance hitting an annualised 2Mtpa run rate
(see Figure 1).
Key infrastructure works over the last 2 years include:
Workstream Scope delivered Status / timing Investment
Primary ventilation – 801 fan
station and associated mine
development.
2 × 1.7MW fan station (designed for
~500m³/s) installed; fan reliability has
prevented full commissioning with
vendor working to rectify
Recovery plan with
vendor underway and
alternative options
review (not required for
2 years).
$10.3M
Interim 801 primary ventilation Interim primary vent solution delivered
in 3 months from FID; produces
sufficient ventilation capacity for ~2
years at mining rates of 2Mtpa.
Commissioned in late
September 2026.
$7.4M
Primary dewatering Replacement of the 801 rising main
(only discharge path from the mine);
upgraded primary pumping station.
Rising main and pump
station commissioned
mid FY26.
$2.5M
Secondary dewatering Replacement of pumping network,
inclusive of 12 pumps, pipework
upgrades and optimising the long-term
capacity of the network.
Completed in October
2026
$3.7M
Water supply and services Water supply and reticulation network
upgraded to ensure supply meets
demand from UG equipment.
Completed late FY26 $1.5M
Surface Power Upgrade Upgrade the surface power supply,
installing new overhead power lines to
meet long-term power requirements.
Completed mid FY25 $5.0M
Underground Power upgrade Upgrade underground power supply
architecture, adding redundant power
supply cables to the underground
operation.
Completed late FY26 $2.9M
Total $33.3M
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Figure 1 - Growth in Beta Hunt mining rates
Mine ventilation capacity established
Beta Hunt is a large underground mine. The mineralised system is approximately 7km in strike
with circa 4km of this strike developed with ventilation historically one of the key constraints
limiting mining rates.
Post acquisition in 2024 and as part of the planned infrastructure upgrade program, Westgold
installed a new primary fan station at the 801 level during FY26 (LOM system). These new fans
were to support the planned increase in mining rates and represented a critical component of
the Company's strategy to expand the operation.
While the LOM system initially supported a step-change in productivity, bearing and coupling
failures limited their output. This ventilation constraint impacted the ramp up of Beta Hunt and
diverted production to the upper parts of the mine. As advised by the fan vendor, additional
bracing was installed to the LOM system in Q4 FY26 and, whilst demonstrating the capability
for the system to support a 2Mtpa profile, it did not improve the reliability of the ventilation
system.
To mitigate the equipment reliability issue and support the ramp up in production rates,
Westgold announced it would procure and install an independent interim ventilation solution
with the planned commissioning during Q2 FY27. Westgold completed this project ahead of
schedule at the end of September 2026, installing and commissioning the interim system in the
801-level return airway (see Figure 2).
Beta Hunt mining rate has increased due to investment in infrastructure (Mtpa)
* Annualised mining rate
FY21 FY22 FY23 FY24 FY25 Q1 FY26* Q2 FY26* Q3 FY26* Q4 FY26* Jul-26* Aug-26* Sep-26*
0.8
1.0
1.2
1.4
1.5 1.5
1.6
1.4
1.6
1.4
1.7
2.0
0.1
1.4
Prior Ownership Westgold Ownership
Beta Hunt infrastructure investment enables 2Mtpa run rate
21 October 2026
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This installation provides airflow required to deliver the targeted 2Mtpa mining rate and enables
Westgold to achieve mining targets while the LOM fans are repaired, recommissioned or
replaced.
Westgold is working with the vendor responsible for the initial turn-key fan installation to rectify
the reliability issues. In parallel the Company is progressing alternative LOM options with
alternative vendors.
The installed interim system will be repurposed at other Westgold operations once the LOM
system is re-established.
Figure 2 – Installed Interim fans
Reliable underground water supply established
At acquisition, Beta Hunt's aged underground water supply system lacked the capacity and
reliability required to support an expanded underground mining operation. Water storage and
distribution capacity was constrained, while poor water quality contributed to ongoing
equipment downtime and reduced operating efficiency.
Westgold secured access to a nearby open pit as a water source and settling facility, then
installed a twin-bore pontoon pumping system to return water underground (see Figure 3a). The
upgrades improved the availability, quality and reliability of water supplied to long-hole drill
rigs, jumbos and other underground equipment, supporting higher productivity and utilisation
(see Figure 3b).
Additionally underground water supply reticulation services were inadequate to support the
operation due to age related degradation. Westgold has replaced significant amounts of the
reticulation network including piping and pressure management systems allowed suitable
distribution of the cleaner water.
Beta Hunt infrastructure investment enables 2Mtpa run rate
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Figure 3 – a) Mine water source with pontoon pumps and distribution infrastructure; b) Mine water supply sample
before and after water system upgrade
Dewatering capacity upgraded
Westgold has upgraded the dewatering network throughout Beta Hunt.
At acquisition the age and complexity of the infrastructure lacked the capacity and reliability to
manage operational water discharge and natural groundwater inflows. The installed legacy
network was designed for approximately 12L/s, compared with peak requirements closer to
50L/s.
This contributed to continual sump overflows and flooding in parts of the mine and road
washouts, restricting access and reducing mine productivity.
Westgold has progressively rebuilt the dewatering system from the active mining areas through
to the surface discharge point. The secondary dewatering network was expanded through the
installation of 12 WTX3 pumps and the replacement of the existing 110mm poly-pipe network
with 125mm pipe. In total, approximately 7.6km of pipework was installed over six months to
improve the collection and transfer of water from underground work areas.
The primary dewatering system was also upgraded, through the installation of three WT107
pumps at the 801 level (see Figure 4) and replacement of the rising main and associated
pipework. Together, these upgrades provide an upgraded pumping system for transferring
water from the underground workings to the surface settling facility, reducing the risk of
localised flooding and supporting more consistent access to active mining areas.
Beta Hunt infrastructure investment enables 2Mtpa run rate
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Figure 4 – Three WT107 pumps in 801 level
Power supply reinforced
On acquisition Westgold identified that the existing high-voltage power supply from surface to
the underground mine lacked the capacity and reliability required to support the planned
production ramp-up. Voltage-drop issues also presented a risk of production disruption.
To address these constraints, Westgold installed new overhead power lines and additional
power banks and upgraded the ring main units (see Figure 5).
Figure 5 – Newly installed surface power infrastructure for Beta Hunt
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In early 2025, Westgold identified the B6 Feeder cable had degraded to the point where it was at
risk of failure. The cable supplied over 50% of the mine with power along with providing power
to the primary ventilation system. Additionally, the B6 Feeder cable was run through a
ventilation rise which was exposed to salt and environmental degradation.
A new service hole was drilled in early 2026 to provide a secondary power feed for the
underground mine with a new Ring Main Unit installed (see Figure 6). This project was
completed in May 2026, delivering redundancy and reliable underground power to the
operation.
Figure 6 - Ring main unit linking newly installed redundant power cable to underground power network
Mine design optimisations
Following the acquisition of Beta Hunt, Westgold’s technical and operational teams undertook
a comprehensive review of the mine plan, supported by accelerated resource definition drilling
and development ahead of production. This work addressed historic underinvestment in mine
development and improved geological confidence, creating the planning flexibility required to
optimise mining sequences, development layouts and production schedules.
To enhance mine productivity, the technical team has used this improved information base to
redesign key elements of the mine plan, targeting lower capital intensity, reduced operating
costs and greater flexibility in mining rates and scheduling.
Key optimisations include:
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• Consolidation of the decline network from four declines to three - reducing capital
development requirements and creating longer, more efficient development drives.
o The revised layout simplifies access, improves development efficiency and
supports more productive mining sequences.
• Introduction of multi-lift open stoping - to reduce capital and operating costs and
increase the proportion of free-bogging ore.
o Stope designs and extraction sequences have been optimised to improve
productivity and reduce material handling requirements.
• Adoption of transverse mining methods in Western Flanks - following detailed
technical assessment of the orebody geometry and mining alternatives (see Figure 7).
o Although requiring higher upfront capital, the approach is expected to lower unit
operating costs.
o The revised design also provides greater flexibility to adjust mining rates and
optimise production schedules.
• Installation of improved UG mobile equipment servicing and refuelling areas (to be
completed in Q2 FY27)
o While not required to deliver the targeted mining rates, this will lower operating
costs and improve reliability of the operation.
• Grade and production optimisation - through improved geological definition and mine
scheduling.
o The optimised plan better reflects the natural grade distribution of the orebody,
enabling tonnage to be flexed while targeting lower mining costs and improved
value delivery.
Figure 7 – Western Flanks Transverse level developed in FY26
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The technical work completed has reduced execution risk of the Beta Hunt mine plan by
improving geological confidence, advancing development ahead of production and
providing greater flexibility in mining sequences and schedules.
Westgold intends to maintain this focus through continued investment in resource definition
drilling, drilling platforms and capital development, supporting improved production readiness
and more consistent delivery against the mine plan.
Looking ahead
With ventilation and other infrastructure no longer constraining the Beta Hunt mine plan,
Westgold's focus shifts to consistent delivery of 2Mtpa run rates.
The recently commissioned interim primary ventilation installation provides sufficient airflow to
support planned mining activities over the next two years and is expected to sustain mining
rates of 2Mtpa from Q2 FY27. The existing LOM fans will be repaired, recommissioned or
replaced with no impact on delivery of the plan.
Together with the extensive dewatering, power and other infrastructure upgrades completed
over the past 2 years, Beta Hunt is now positioned to exceed installed mill capacity at
Higginsville. Building a mined ore stockpile over FY27 ensures that Higginsville’s capacity of
+1.6Mtpa can be fully utilised and establishes a buffer start-up stockpile to support a larger
processing hub in the Southern Goldfields.
Looking further ahead, Westgold continues to advance the Fletcher Zone as the next key driver
of mine expansion at Beta Hunt.
• Drilling continues with seven rigs underground at Beta Hunt.
Six rigs are operating on reserve conversion (Fletcher) and one rig on resource extension
(Mason).
• Integrated Southern Goldfields expansion studies are expected to be completed in Q3
FY27.
The studies are assessing the optimal mining, hoisting, ore-handling and processing
pathway for an expanded operation incorporating Fletcher and will define the timing,
infrastructure and processing solution required to support higher mining rates.
The processing DFS is evaluating two development scenarios:
i) development of a new 4Mtpa processing hub closer to Beta Hunt – producing
~250kozpa standalone and increasing total Southern Goldfields milling capacity
(inclusive of the existing 1.6Mtpa Higginsville facility) to approximately 5.6Mtpa, and
providing Westgold with optionality over the future of the Higginsville infrastructure.
ii) expansion of the Higginsville processing hub to treat 4Mtpa of Beta Hunt ore -
supporting production of approximately 250koz per annum.1
1
Refer ASX announcement “FY27 Guidance and Three-Year Outlook” dated 9 September 2026 for further information.
Beta Hunt infrastructure investment enables 2Mtpa run rate
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This announcement is authorised for release to the ASX by the Board.
Investor and media relations enquiries
Investor Relations
KasunLiyanaarachchi
Group Manager Investor Relations & Communications
investor.relations@westgold.com.au
+61 458 564 483
Media
Annette Ellis
Manager Communications & Corporate Affairs
Media@westgold.com.au
+61 458 200 039
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