Magnetic Resources NL’s Lady Julie Gold Project: 9-Year Standalone Operation with A$970M NPV, 45% IRR & Low-Cost Gold Production
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
at
8:14 am
Magnetic Resources NL’s Lady Julie Gold Project in Western Australia shows robust economics—a 9‐year mine plan with strong gold production, low costs, and high recoveries. With an expanding resource base and advancing approvals, the project is poised to deliver significant long‐term shareholder value.
Magnetic Resources NL has unveiled a comprehensive feasibility study for its Lady Julie Gold Project in the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. The study outlines a robust, 9‐year production plan that combines open pit and underground mining methods to process almost 21 million tonnes of ore per year, supporting an annual gold output of approximately 140,000 ounces once in full production. Financial projections include a pre-production capital expenditure of around A$375 million (with working capital incorporated) and sustaining capital of A$101 million, while the project is forecast to generate strong EBITDA margins of 55% and an impressive pre-tax NPV(8) of A$970 million with a 45% internal rate of return at a gold price of A$4,000 per ounce.
The technical study details a low-cost operating profile with an average all-in sustaining cost (AISC) estimated at A$1,908 per ounce of gold. The project’s reserve base includes open pit resources from multiple deposits – notably Lady Julie North 4, Lady Julie Central, and Hawks Nest 9 – amounting to nearly 1 million ounces at an average grade of approximately 1.72 g/t. Additional upside potential has been identified in deeper inferred resources that could extend mine life and enhance production figures. A notable feature of the project is the integration of a 2.75Mtpa gold processing plant that utilizes an innovative flotation and fine grind circuit, boosting overall recovery to 91.9%.
Infrastructure planning plays a critical role in the project’s design. The facility will be powered by a viable gas/solar hybrid system capable of delivering about 20MW, while water requirements will be met through regional aquifers bolstered by dedicated bore fields. The logistical setup involves a FIFO operation with personnel accommodated in Laverton and temporary construction camps onsite, ensuring that essential services and transport routes are in place as the project advances toward construction readiness.
On the mining side, the study describes an open pit mining operation that employs conventional heavy equipment capable of moving large volumes of waste and ore, alongside an underground mine designed using longhole stoping methods to efficiently extract gold from deeper seams. Detailed pit designs, material movement statistics, and operational scheduling underscore the project’s readiness to transition from exploration to full-scale production.
From a market perspective, bullish sentiment stems from the strong financial metrics, low operating costs, and high recovery rates. Even modest improvements in contained metal or gold prices would further elevate the economic profile, making the project highly competitive compared to other gold assets in the region. Conversely, a bearish view might point to technical uncertainties in drilling deeper reserves, potential fluctuations in cost estimates, and the challenges of securing funding on advantageous terms. Overall, Magnetic Resources NL’s detailed study positions the Lady Julie Gold Project as a compelling asset with robust economics in a stable mining jurisdiction—an opportunity that promises significant value for long-term shareholders.