Barton Gold Starts Challenger Underground Scoping Study

Barton Gold (ASX:BGD) started a Scoping Study into underground mine feed from its Challenger Gold Project in South Australia to the Central Gawler Mill, following an October 2026 Mineral Resource update that more than doubled the underground inventory to 230koz @ 3.65 g/t Au.

SRK Consulting (Australasia) Pty Ltd, which is already involved in the ongoing Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS), has been appointed to lead the Scoping Study, which will evaluate feeding underground Resources to a recommissioned Central Gawler Mill (CGM). Barton says the CGM is fully permitted and has been assessed as suitable for refurbishment, and that almost all underground Resources are on or adjacent to existing development. In the October 2026 estimate, Challenger Underground (above 215mRL) is 207koz, of which 190koz is Inferred, and Challenger Deeps (below 90mRL) is 23koz Inferred. The Challenger total is 11.2Mt @ 1.03g/t Au for 370koz, of which 222koz is Inferred. Barton says preliminary modelling indicates potential to bring additional mineralisation that is not yet JORC classified into a future estimate or mine plan through further drilling. A DFS is under way to evaluate a potential CGM restart, targeting an initial 3 - 4 year Stage 1 operation using historical higher-grade tailings from tailings storage facility 1 and limited near-surface material.

The release does not give a completion date, cost or production target for the Scoping Study. No decision has been taken to restart the CGM or to mine the underground.