Zijin Mining’s Norton Gold Fields closing in on Ramelius Resources with 20 per cent production target uplift

The low-profile Western Australian outpost of a sprawling Chinese mining empire wants more gold and will push ahead with plans to further cement itself as a key local player. A gold price repeatedly breaching record highs in recent months has put wind in the sails of Zijin Mining’s Australian subsidiary to churn out more ounces of the precious metal. Zijin is China’s largest non-coal mining company and the Kalgoorlie-headquartered Norton Gold Fields it acquired in 2012 currently produces approximately 200,000 ounces of gold each year — entirely within WA. “As a result of the high gold price, Norton is seeking opportunities to upgrade our plants, and once the upgrades are completed, Norton aims to produce 240,000 ounces of gold annually,” a company spokesman told The West Australian. The timeframe for the upgrades was not disclosed, but if completed over the next year or two a 240koz production profile is above the likes of Genesis Minerals and Capricorn Metals, and within 30koz to 60oz of mid-tier linchpin Ramelius Resources. Industry sources say Norton is on a big recruitment drive within WA to beef up its processing plant personnel. Norton has two operational hubs — Paddington and Binduli — both in the vicinity of Kalgoorlie. The time-hallowed Paddington mine and mill is the centrepiece. It was previously the domain of Canadian giant Barrick Gold and has been online for 39 years. ASX-listed Horizon Minerals is set to process the ore from its future Boorara gold mine — adjacent to the eastern side of the Kalgoorlie Super Pit — at Paddington. The Paddington operation is also about 20 minutes south by truck from Genesis’ Bardoc development. But Binduli has been the growth focal point for the Legend Huan-led Norton in recent years, with a $278 million heap leach plant at the site switched on during 2022. Norton is keeping its focus on the two existing assets and has no plans to join the acquisition frenzy sweeping the domestic gold sector, a company spokesman said. The crowded field of gold mines dotted just beyond Kalgoorlie’s southern frontier has been ground zero for the recent wave of mid-tier consolidation. Westgold Resources’ tie-up with Karora Resources was driven by the former’s desire to get its hands on the latter’s suite of mines, mills and exploration turf between Kalgoorlie and Norseman. Red 5 joining forces with Silver Lake Resources to establish Vault Minerals brought the Mt Monger operation — 50km south east of Kalgoorlie — into the newly expanded stable of gold mines. Beyond gold Zijin has exposure to copper, zinc, lead, lithium and platinum group metals. North America and Antarctica are the only two continents Zijin does not have a mining presence in.