Rumble Resources Limited has advanced pre-development preparations at its 100%-owned Western Queen project in Western Australia after securing a Groundwater Extraction Licence from the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation.

The newly granted permit clears the path for pit dewatering at the Western Queen South open pit, leaving the Mine Development and Closure Proposal as the final major regulatory approval required before underground pre-development work can begin. Rumble holds a 100% equity interest in the project, which covers 9.8 square kilometres across two contiguous mining leases.

“The first major task is dewatering of the Western Queen South open pit, and we are pleased to report that we have recently received the Groundwater Extraction Licence to enable this to commence. The Mine Development and Closure Proposal is the only major outstanding approval required before we can start underground pre-development works.”

— Peter Harold, Managing Director and CEO

The company has engaged a preferred contractor for the dewatering phase, with pumps and pipework ordered while formal agreements are finalised. Discussions are also underway with potential underground mining contractors who submitted expressions of interest.

The operational push follows an upgrade to the project's Mineral Resource estimate, which now stands at 5.13 million tonnes at 2.6 grams per tonne gold for 433,600 ounces of contained gold. This compares to the previous estimate of 3.72 million tonnes at 3.1 grams per tonne gold for 370,000 ounces.

Rumble is currently preparing an Updated Scoping Study scheduled for delivery in late September 2026. The revised study will incorporate the expanded resource estimate, updated mining schedules, refreshed capital and operating cost estimates, and the final commercial terms of a previously executed toll milling and blending agreement. Under that agreement, Western Queen ore will be processed at Gylden Resources and Kirkalocka Gold's Kirkalocka plant, located approximately 180 kilometres southeast of the project.

“Once the pit is dewatered, we can commence underground mine development, with first ore expected to be delivered to Kirkalocka approximately six months after the portal is cut.”

— Peter Harold, Managing Director and CEO

Following the completion of the Updated Scoping Study, Rumble plans to invite potential debt providers to submit financing term sheets. Subject to positive study results and acceptable indicative financing terms, the company targets completing a Bankable Feasibility Study and reaching a decision to mine during the December quarter of 2026.

Read the full announcement: Western Queen Project Development Update