St Barbara (ASX:SBM) is entering a transformative era, headlined by the green light for its New Simberi Gold Project in Papua New Guinea.
The PNG Government has officially extended the project's mining lease to 2038, paving the way for a high-output operation expected to produce over 200,000 ounces of gold annually for at least 13 years.
To fuel this expansion, the company invested $19 million this quarter into infrastructure, including a new ball mill and water treatment facilities.
Financial stability has been bolstered by strategic partnerships. St Barbara secured binding agreements with Lingbao Gold Group and Kumul Mineral Holdings, which will see Lingbao acquire a 40% stake for $370 million.
These deals, alongside a successful $58 million institutional placement, leave the company with $187 million in cash and investments and zero bank debt as it approaches a final investment decision in early 2026.
In Canada, the Nova Scotia Gold Projects are gaining momentum. New studies for the 15-Mile processing hub suggest a highly profitable 11-year mine life with a remarkably fast payback period of less than one year.
Additionally, the Touquoy Restart is moving forward under a simplified permitting process, avoiding a lengthy new environmental assessment.
While the current quarter saw modest production of 9,057 ounces at Simberi, the focus remains on the long-term transition to a low-cost, multi-asset gold producer.