Warriedar Resources (ASX:WA8) strikes gold with free-milling Windinne Well

In gold mining, the difference between a promising deposit and a commercially viable one often comes down to metallurgy.

Warriedar Resources (ASX:WA8) has just cleared a major hurdle at its Windinne Well deposit, confirming that its gold is free-milling—meaning it can be processed with minimal complexity and cost.

A Rare Find: Near-Pure Recovery

The recent bottle roll leach test on fresh rock samples from Windinne Well returned an average gold recovery of 98.2%, with the best result reaching 99.8%.

That places it in the upper echelon of metallurgical efficiency, minimising processing costs and maximising yield.

The results reinforce Windinne Well’s potential to join Warriedar Resources existing Golden Corridor, a cluster of deposits that share the same free-milling characteristics.

Historical test work at other deposits in the region, such as Monaco and Austin, have yielded similarly high recoveries—99.6% and 99.3% in the oxide zones, respectively.

Why Free-Milling Matters

Gold miners often battle refractory ore—material requiring complex and costly processing such as roasting or pressure oxidation to liberate gold from sulphides.

Free-milling gold, on the other hand, dissolves easily using conventional carbon-in-leach (CIL) processing. This not only reduces capital outlay but also accelerates cash flow potential.

Warriedar’s CEO, Amanda Buckingham, underscores the importance of Windinne Well’s processing efficiency:

“Following our drilling and successful extension of it during 2023, and with an existing high-grade resource approaching 100 koz at 2.9 g/t Au and further growth potential, Windinne Well is at the forefront of this complementary focus.

We have recommenced drilling at Windinne Well, and we are excited to advance our evaluation of its potential for early mining and monetisation.”

A Strategic Fit for Warriedar’s Growth Model

The company’s flagship Ricciardo deposit within the Golden Corridor already boasts a mineral resource estimate (MRE) nearing 1 million ounces of gold, but Windinne Well represents an opportunity to add to that tally without requiring a major processing overhaul.

With growth-focused drilling currently underway at Windinne Well and an updated MRE expected by mid-2025, the deposit is shaping up as a serious contender for early development.

Warriedar’s ability to integrate new ounces into its existing processing infrastructure at Golden Range adds another layer of efficiency.

What’s Next?

Metallurgical testing is now planned across additional Golden Corridor deposits, a move that could further cement Warriedar’s position as a low-cost, high-recovery gold producer.

In a market increasingly conscious of cost control and operational efficiency, Windinne Well’s free-milling nature gives Warriedar a clear edge over peers battling refractory ore complexities.

If further test work confirms similar results at other deposits, the company may have unlocked a region-wide processing advantage—something gold investors would do well to keep an eye on.

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