Riversgold Ltd (ASX:RGL, OTC:RVSGF) has submitted a Native Vegetation Clearing Permit (NVCP) application for its Northern Zone Gold Project near Kalgoorlie, advancing another key approval required ahead of planned mining operations.
The application has been lodged with Western Australia’s Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER), with approval required before any native vegetation can be cleared at the project.
Riversgold is also preparing its Mine Development and Closure Proposal (MDCP), the operating approval required to start mining, which remains on track for submission in early September.
Northern Zone sits within Riversgold’s broader Kalgoorlie Gold Project, around 25 kilometres east of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia.
Riversgold advances Northern Zone towards mining with key clearing permit application.
Permitting work gathers pace
The NVCP process has been progressing alongside preparation of the MDCP, with Riversgold moving both approval streams forward as it works towards development.
Under Western Australian legislation, native vegetation clearing requires authorisation from DWER unless an exemption applies, meaning no land clearing can begin until the permit is granted.
Technical director Ed Mead said submission of the application represented another step towards monetising Northern Zone.
“The gold price continues to remain strong, and this is a great time to be on the path to production,” Mead said.
“We remain firmly on track to submit our Mine Development and Closure Proposal (MDCP) to the Department of Mines Petroleum and Energy (DMPE) in early September, and we are working very closely with our funding partners, MEGA Resources, on finalising mine planning and scheduling.”
Northern Zone development model
Northern Zone is planned as an open-pit gold operation and is 80% owned by Riversgold, with Oracle Power PLC (AIM:ORCP) holding the remaining 20%.
Development is expected to be fully funded by Mega Resources under a 50:50 Mining and Co-operation Agreement entered into in September 2025.
Riversgold secured Mining Lease M25/389 over the project in July 2026. The lease was granted for a 21-year term running until July 2047 and is renewable.
The project is positioned within the Kalgoorlie gold district, with the location map accompanying the announcement showing Northern Zone east of the Golden Mile/Fimiston “Super Pit” and close to other established gold operations and projects.
Next steps
Riversgold’s immediate focus will be on progressing the NVCP assessment process while completing the MDCP for its planned early-September submission.
At the same time, the company is working with Mega Resources to finalise mine planning and scheduling for Northern Zone.
Approval of the clearing permit, followed by progression of the MDCP, would move Riversgold closer to establishing the approvals framework required to begin mining at the project.