Latest news with #GreatSouthern
ABC News
2 days ago
- Climate
- ABC News
Snow falls on Bluff Knoll in WA's Stirling Range National Park
The prospect of a light dusting of snow on one of Western Australia's highest peaks has drawn hikers from hundreds of kilometres away. Visitors from as far as Perth made the hike up Bluff Knoll in WA's Great Southern region on Monday, the only location in the state to routinely see snow. While the mercury did not dip as low as predicted, near-freezing temperatures allowed for a slight covering of snow, rewarding hikers who made the 1,100-metre climb. "We timed it really well ... when we got up there, the cloud closed around us a little bit and then it started snowing on us, which was awesome," hiker Jamie Titmuss said. "For what we experienced up there, even having a drink at some of the waterfalls that are coming down in various spots up there, that was sensational as well." Bunbury hikers Finn and Mia were among those who woke in the early hours to trek to the peak, starting their ascent at about 4am. Braving icy cold temperatures and strong winds, the hikers were delighted with their experience at the top. "It's massive ... we could nearly go skiing. We made a snowman," Finn said. At Mt Trio Bush Camp at the base of the peak, operator John Byrne told the ABC he was looking forward to an influx of hikers dropping in to the "ski lodge" to pick up their Bluff Knoll Ski Club membership. Entry to the tongue-in-cheek club is simple — all they need to do is touch powder during their climb. "Apparently, there are flurries of snow up there," Mr Byrne said. "Nobody has come back to the ski lodge this morning yet, but there is a lady who wants to pack a thermos of snow and bring it back to the lodge as proof that she's touched the powder and she's going to be a member." The Bureau of Meteorology said another cold front in the coming days should create ideal snow conditions on Thursday. "This also looks like it's got a decent cold pool behind it and the timing looks a little more user-friendly as well, perhaps, the coldest temperatures at some time during Thursday daytime," meteorologist Jessica Lingard said.
West Australian
2 days ago
- Business
- West Australian
Great Southern sells mining licence in $9 million WA gold belt deal
Gold explorer Great Southern Mining has locked in a blockbuster $9 million deal with heavyweight Regis Resources to sell its Southern Star mining licence in Western Australia's Duketon Greenstone Belt while forging a strategic alliance to unlock the region's untapped riches. The deal sees Regis take full control of the mining licence hosting the Southern Star gold prospect, which is just 3.5 kilometres south of the company's operating 390,000 gold ounce Ben Hur open pit. Regis has forked out an upfront $4 million payment in cash, with up to $5 million more on the table, depending on future gold price movements and resource milestones. It's not hard to see why. Drilling at Southern Star has previously returned some hefty hits, including 68 metres at 1.9 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 61m and 59m at 2.1g/t gold from 53m, proving the prospect's potential to deliver near-surface ounces. The transaction is structured across three stages - the $4 million upfront payment is just a starter. Stage two includes a further $3 million in cash pegged to gold price levels when mining begins, ranging from $1 million at a $4000 per ounce gold price to a full $3 million if the price stays above $5000 per ounce. With the gold price currently trading at $5157 per ounce, Great Southern could well be in for the full payout. Stage three unlocks an additional $2 million if Regis declares a JORC-compliant reserve greater than 150,000 ounces of gold at the Southern Star prospect. There is more in play than cash in the new deal. Regis has also picked up a first right of refusal on any defined mineral resources up to 1 million gold-equivalent ounces across the remaining 98 per cent of Great Southern's granted tenements in the belt, which span a further 421 square kilometres. To further sweeten the trade, both parties have inked a data sharing alliance aimed at fast-tracking discoveries across Great Southern's grounds, one of WA's hottest greenstone belts. The company plans to use Regis's cash injection to hit the ground hard. Great Southern's Duketon tenure covers major strike lengths across three mineralised corridors with significant exploration upside potential. These include 8km of the Erlistoun Trend, 7km along the Garden Well Trend and 11km between Regis' Rosemont and Ben Hur deposits. All tenements are close to Regis' 10 million tonne per annum processing facilities at Garden Well, Moolart Well and Rosemont. Meanwhile, Great Southern is set to kick off what may be its most exciting drilling campaign yet at its Leichhardt Creek prospect, which is part of the company's flagship Edinburgh gold and copper project in North Queensland. The upcoming program will mark the first time deep diamond drilling has targeted this area, where the company suspects a major porphyry or intrusion-related gold system may lie hidden. The company has partnered with global mining powerhouse Gold Fields Limited, which can earn a 75 per cent stake by investing $15 million over six years. The pair plan to sink three holes up to 800m deep to test two compelling induced polarisation anomalies and uncover the geological truth below. If the drill bit hits its mark, a significant discovery could be just around the corner. With Regis holding the keys to processing and Great Southern holding the frontier land at Duketon, the strategic alignment may set the stage for the next multi-million-ounce discovery in the hugely endowed greenstone belt. The region already hosts the massive Gold Fields-owned Granny Smith gold mine, 40km south, and the Ashanti Gold-owned Sunrise Dam gold operations, just a little further south. Great Southern's balance sheet just got $4 million stronger, its focus is now sharper and with gold trading at record highs, the company looks cashed up and ready to chase its next big score. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact:
ABC News
5 days ago
- General
- ABC News
Concerns raised about impact of new goldmine on Carnaby's black cockatoo population
Environmental groups have raised concerns about the impact a proposed goldmine in WA's Great Southern will have on Carnaby's black cockatoo populations. The Ausgold mine site is about 36 kilometres from the town of Katanning. The proposal includes the clearing of up 50 hectares of native vegetation containing 82 trees with hollows — potentially impacting the breeding, roosting and foraging of the endangered species found only in Western Australia. In the company's submission to the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Ausgold said it was exploring offset options but had yet to finalise them. The options include revegetation of woodlands in the district and cockatoo foraging habitat, as well as the addition of about 100 Cockatubes artificial nesting boxes. Dean Arthurell from the Carnaby's Crusaders said the loss of the trees would have a significant impact. "Offsets just facilitate more clearing and destruction," he said. Mr Arthurell said broader impacts of the project were also worrying with the nearby Woorgabup nature reserve one of three key habitats for the birds in the Katanning shire. "The impact on the population, they'll certainly decline, and it's not only due to the [clearing] proposal but the impacts of light pollution, noise pollution, dust, widening of roads and clearing of ancient trees that we'll see them potentially disappear from these areas for good," he said. Ausgold executive chairman John Dorward said stringent environmental checks were being undertaken at a state and federal level. "The permitting around the environmental front is very rigorous and we have designed the project to minimise our impact as much as we can, so we leave large areas of standing eucalyptus woodland intact," he said. The mine is expected to employ about 250 people during construction and 350 full-time staff when in production. Shire of Katanning president Kristy D'Aprile said the council had been working to ensure the local community could get the most out of the opportunities presented by the project. "We have a very active LCDC [Land Care District Committee] that is working with Ausgold to ensure they protect our environment as best they can." Mr Dorward said the mine was expected to produce about 1.14 million ounces of gold over the life of the mine, based on the drilling completed so far. "We're producing around 140,000 ounces of gold per annum, which is a substantial amount of production, and that will enable us to continue investing to continue expanding that mine life." Mr Dorward said they were aiming to have the first gold pour by late 2027. Ausgold is yet to make a submission to WA's Environmental Protection Authority.
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
Record-breaking NAIDOC basketball carnival at Bendat centre
A record-breaking 106 teams from across WA have just wrapped up a special tournament at the Bendat Basketball Centre, a three-day celebration of culture, community and connection through the power of sport. Players travelled from as far as the Kimberley, Pilbara, Goldfields, Kununurra, Leonora, Albany, Bunbury and other Great Southern regions to take part in the ninth — and easily the biggest — iteration of the NAIDOC Basketball Carnival. Boys, girls, men and women took the courts to compete in categories from under-10s to under 23s, but the event wasn't just about sport. Jayden Stack in the under-12 boys game for Binar. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian The event is put on by Basketball WA and Binar Futures, which is a not-for-profit charity that works with disadvantaged youth. Binar Futures founder and executive director Adam Desmond said this year's numbers were an incredible rise on last year, when they had just nine teams. 'This is the biggest NAIDOC basketball carnival we've ever seen here in WA; it's a massive milestone,' he said. Jean Coyle, 16 and Shayla Hart, 14, from Bunbury. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian Mr Desmond said the carnival was structured and competitive, with fixtures running over three full days, but it was as much about connection. 'We've had kids waiting all month to play,' he said. 'Some even showed up on the day hoping to get into a team. We try to make it work. 'NAIDOC is a very important time for Aboriginal people, and everyone, to come together and celebrate culture. This event brings hundreds of young people together in a positive space.' Northern Star Resources helped provide accommodation for some of the people who travelled long distances. Premier Roger Cook pays the carnival a visit. Credit: Kelsey Reid / The West Australian Premier Roger Cook was among politicians and other guests who attended the opening ceremony, which featured a welcome to country and cultural performances. The carnival also included family-friendly activations for all ages and an elder's room, a peaceful space offering a moment of rest, reflection and reconnection, as well as free health checks from more than 14 organisations. The event has become a key feature on WA's community sport calendar.
ABC News
11-07-2025
- ABC News
Daughter's demand for answers after her mother dies in Albany hit-and-run
The daughter of a woman killed in a hit-and-run in Western Australia's Great Southern says the family is heartbroken and desperate for answers. Bronwyn Clark was hit by a car on Hardie Road in Spencer Park, a suburb of Albany, at about 8pm on Wednesday. She was taken to Albany Health Campus for treatment but died as a result of her injuries. Bethanie Clark said her mother was a remarkable woman whose presence lit up every room and every life she touched. "Bronny was not only a devoted mother, but a dedicated nurse, a carer, a best friend, and a warm, vibrant soul who brought joy, laughter, and love to all who knew her," she said. "She gave so much of herself to others, both professionally and personally, and her legacy of kindness, warmth and generosity will live on in the countless people she helped, healed and inspired." Detectives believe the car involved was a mid-sized, dark-coloured SUV. Major crash detectives and forensics officers were seen investigating a vehicle matching that description in Albany's city centre on Friday. Detective Senior Sergeant Hugh Letessier urged whoever was behind the wheel of the vehicle involved to come forward. "Whoever was driving would know that they struck something or someone on the road," he said. Police said a couple witnessed the incident. "As they drove past they saw the vehicle involved drive over the victim," Senior Sergeant Letessier said. Police confirmed that a person was assisting with their investigation, but no charges had been laid. Bethanie Clark said her family want answers on what happened. "What happened to her is a terrible tragedy," she said. "Our family is pleading with anyone who may have information about the driver responsible to please come forward." Senior Sergeant Letessier said he was hopeful more information would be forthcoming. "There's always CCTV around that captures something and when we piece it all together it provides us with a clear picture of what occurred and also points us in the direction of those people and the vehicle involved," he said. "We know the vehicle drove past the hospital a short time later. "At the time of the incident, which is captured on CCTV, there's no suggestion of any reckless or dangerous driving." Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or WA Police on 131 444.
