Valiant Gold (ASX:VAL) accelerates Comet Gold Mine restart activities
Valiant Gold has brought forward infrastructure, procurement and technical activities supporting the restart of its 100% owned Comet Gold Mine in Western Australia’s Murchison region.
The program follows the successful underground re entry completed in July 2026 and is progressing alongside the Comet Restart Study, which is targeted for completion in Q2 FY27.
Highlights
Silverstone Energy has been engaged to supply and deliver a 6.1 MW site power station.
Ventilation, pumping, electrical and underground safety equipment has been ordered.
Quick Camps has been engaged to construct an initial 30 person accommodation camp.
Surface and underground communications infrastructure has been installed and commissioned.
A tender process has commenced for priority grade control and resource definition drilling.
Key infrastructure deliveries and underground drilling are targeted for Q2 FY27.
Comet is located 14 km by road from Westgold Resources’ Tuckabianna Mill and 110 km from the Bluebird Mill via the Great Northern Highway.
The mine trend hosts an existing Mineral Resource Estimate of 3.77 Mt at 2.51 g/t Au for 304 koz of gold, comprising the Comet, Comet North and Pinnacles deposits.
Inspections conducted after the July 2026 underground re entry identified lower than expected water levels, generally dry workings, serviceable infrastructure and limited rehabilitation requirements in the potential production zones inspected.
These findings have informed the site establishment, dewatering, rehabilitation, engineering and mine planning activities now under way.
The 6.1 MW power station is scheduled for delivery and commissioning in Q2 FY27, with design, certification and site preparation progressing in parallel with procurement, while underground substations, distribution equipment and dedicated starters for pumping and primary ventilation have also been ordered.
Planning for the underground power reticulation system is continuing alongside manufacturing and delivery activities.
Primary ventilation equipment has been ordered for the Comet and Pinnacles underground workings, including fan equipment and installation accessories for the underground ventilation circuits.
Assessment of the existing ventilation infrastructure is continuing, with installation and commissioning scheduled for Q2 FY27.
Permanent pumping equipment and associated supporting infrastructure form part of the planned dewatering system.
A new discharge line has been installed from the pit floor to the surface, replacing previously removed infrastructure, while additional equipment has been ordered to support pumping before permanent power and pumping infrastructure is established.
Valiant Gold Managing Director and CEO Brendan Tritton outlined the work remaining before a restart schedule can be released.
“Valiant is advancing the critical infrastructure, site and technical workstreams required to return Comet to production. Completion of the Comet Restart Study, targeted for Q2 FY27, will provide the basis for announcing the preliminary restart mining schedule and key milestones toward the recommencement of operations.”
The proposed underground diamond drilling program will focus on priority grade control and resource definition drilling from established underground platforms.
The work is intended to support mine planning, Mineral Resource conversion and growth, with contractor evaluation under way and mobilisation targeted for Q2 FY27.
Site establishment includes an initial 30 person accommodation camp that can be progressively scaled to 60 and ultimately 100 people as workforce requirements increase.
Kitchen and mess facilities will accommodate up to 100 people, allowing the accommodation capacity to expand without a corresponding upgrade to those facilities.
Preparation of the temporary workshop area is well advanced, including pad preparation, levelling, water infrastructure and pipe laydown areas.
Pit ramp and site access works are progressing, while targeted rehabilitation requirements identified within sections of the underground workings are being scoped and planned.
Underground refuge chambers have also been ordered as part of the safety and emergency response infrastructure.
The Comet Restart Study will consolidate the mine plan, execution requirements and sequencing, incorporating the outcomes of current procurement, infrastructure planning and site activities, with mine engineering, design, pricing and planning continuing as part of that process.
Valiant’s development pipeline also includes South Emu Triton, identified as a future underground restart opportunity, and Boomerang, described as a potential open pit and underground development opportunity.
No development decision has been made for either project, with any future decision remaining subject to technical review, approvals, funding, sequencing and other relevant considerations.
The company’s disclosed activities for Comet now cover power, ventilation, dewatering, accommodation, communications, safety infrastructure, drilling and site readiness.
Upcoming work includes completing the study and contractor appointment process, progressing infrastructure delivery and continuing rehabilitation and site establishment activities.