Aquirian Secures Five-Year Drill and Blast Contract for Brightstar Goldfields Hub
Brightstar secures five-year drill and blast partnership with Aquirian for Goldfields Hub
Brightstar Resources has executed a strategic framework agreement with Aquirian Limited (ASX: AQN) covering all open pit drilling and energetics services for its Goldfields Hub operations. The agreement includes an initial five-year term with extension options, alongside a three-year contract with Drillforce WA Pty Ltd (a wholly owned Aquirian subsidiary) for the Lord Byron open pit mine, targeted to commence operations in 2H CY26.
The partnership locks in a long-term services provider ahead of the company’s transition to producer status, targeting first gold production in JunQ CY27. By securing operational capability well in advance of production commencement, Brightstar has de-risked a critical component of its mine development timeline.
The scope of the Strategic Framework Agreement is limited to the Goldfields Hub, providing Brightstar with committed drill and blast capacity across its near-term production pipeline. The initial Lord Byron contract represents the first deployment under this broader framework, with production targeted to begin in the second half of CY26.
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Drillforce’s patented technology targets improved ore recovery and reduced mining costs
Drillforce operates as a vertically integrated drill and blast specialist, combining proprietary technology with Western Australia’s largest independent energetics manufacturing and storage facility at Wubin, WA. The company’s value proposition centres on its patented Collar Keeper System, fitted to new Epiroc T45 drill and blast rigs.
In open pit mining, drill and blast services involve drilling holes into the rock face, loading them with explosives, and detonating them to fragment the ore for excavation. The quality of this fragmentation directly impacts downstream costs: poor blasting leads to ore dilution (waste rock mixing with ore), higher processing costs, and potential crusher blockages. Precision blasting preserves ore grade and reduces costs across the mining value chain.
Drillforce’s automated Collar Keeper System is designed to optimise fragmentation whilst preserving ore integrity, targeting operational benefits across multiple areas:
- Minimised mining dilution through precision blasting
- Better dig productivity
- Lower load and haul costs
- Reduced crusher downtime (eliminates PVC piping in blastholes)
- Improved safety (automated design reduces operator time outside rig)
The removal of traditionally used PVC piping from blastholes addresses a specific operational pain point. PVC piping, when used in conventional drilling, can fragment during blasting and contaminate the ore stream, potentially causing blockages in the processing circuit and forcing unplanned crusher downtime. By eliminating this component, the Collar Keeper System reduces both direct consumable costs and downstream processing risk.
The automated design also minimises the time drill operators spend outside the rig, reducing exposure to moving equipment and blast zones, thereby improving the safety environment within the open pit.
Partnership supports Goldfields Hub production timeline and expansion potential
The drilling partnership aligns with Brightstar’s January 2026 Updated Feasibility Study, which outlined production of +75,000oz per annum over six years. With Drillforce now contracted to commence services in 2H CY26, the company has secured a critical operational input ahead of its JunQ CY27 production target.
The January 2026 feasibility study delivered strong project economics, with life-of-mine cashflows of ~A$1 billion, an NPV8 of A$606 million, and an internal rate of return of 74%. The drilling partnership represents a tangible step toward realising these metrics.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual production target | +75,000oz |
| Mine life | 6 years |
| LOM cashflows | ~A$1 billion |
| NPV8 | A$606 million |
| IRR | 74% |
Managing Director Alex Rovira noted that Brightstar continues to assess opportunities for possible increases to the Lord Byron open pit size beyond what was outlined in the Updated Feasibility Study, representing potential upside to the current mine plan. The drilling partnership provides the operational capacity to support expansion scenarios if they proceed.
Management commentary
Alex Rovira, Managing Director
“Aquirian’s vertically integrated business and patented technology provides a material value proposition for Brightstar, with a strong operational focus on ore preservation during the drill and blast sequence which is anticipated to deliver material benefits to Brightstar’s open pit mining operations.”
“Brightstar continues to assess opportunities for possible increases to the size of the Lord Byron open pit mine, compared to what was illustrated in the DFS2.0, representing upside to the currently defined mine plan.”
Rovira emphasised Aquirian’s emphasis on precision, data-driven execution and safety performance, which are expected to support improved blast performance, optimise material movement, and contribute to disciplined cost control. These factors are key drivers of sustainable production and margin performance once operations commence.
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What this means for Brightstar’s path to producer status
With a key contractor now locked in, Brightstar has reduced execution risk on its near-term production pathway. The company’s broader asset base includes 4.0Moz of Mineral Resources across the Goldfields and Sandstone Hubs, with the Goldfields Hub hosting 1.6Moz @ 1.6g/t Au and the Sandstone Hub holding 2.4Moz @ 1.5g/t Au.
The drilling partnership addresses one of the critical operational inputs required to transition from developer to producer. By securing this capability well ahead of production commencement, Brightstar has demonstrated progress on the execution pathway outlined in its feasibility study.
With operational infrastructure advancing and a Tier-1 jurisdiction asset base, the company remains on track for production commencement in JunQ CY27. The Strategic Framework Agreement also provides a platform for future drilling services as Brightstar develops additional deposits across the Goldfields Hub.
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