Norwest Minerals Limited has pushed back the release of the Scoping Study for its Bulgera Gold Project to early October 2026, changing its position to incorporate complete datasets from ongoing column leach and fresh rock testing programs.

The evaluation schedule was previously set without these comprehensive results, but the company elected to adjust its timetable to integrate final data from formal 70-day column leach testwork on coarse-crushed minus-25 millimetre highly weathered and moderately weathered oxide material at ALS Laboratories. The work also incorporates primary fresh rock Intermittent Bottle Roll Test results to refine process assumptions beyond previous conservative estimates.

The technical workstreams for the heap leach evaluation are backed by a partly underwritten entitlement offer that successfully raised $1.89 million in August 2026. The project itself spans 2,435 hectares in the Mid-West region of Western Australia, anchored by Mining Lease M52/1085, which was granted to Norwest in April 2025.

Once received, the complete metallurgical suite will be delivered to heap leach technical advisors Kappes, Cassiday & Associates Australia for review. Lead consultants Orelogy Mining Consultants, alongside KCAA and NewPro, will then integrate the final figures into the project's processing and financial models.

“The column leach testwork program is progressing well. Given how foundational both the column leach dynamics and fresh rock metallurgical responses are to the overall Bulgera development model, it is logical to fully capture these results within the Scoping Study.”

“Integrating these finalised numbers ensures we deliver the most accurate, reliable, and compelling economic picture possible for our shareholders and project stakeholders.”

— Charles Schaus, Chief Executive Officer and Director

In the surrounding district, Catalyst Metals Limited reported a resource update for its Plutonic project in June 2026, putting the Trident resource at 1.1 million ounces at 5.4 grams per tonne gold. Norwest anticipates finalising and releasing its own completed scoping study promptly following the evaluation of the upcoming October metallurgical testwork suite.

Read the full announcement: Bulgera Gold Project Scoping Study update