Oracle Power (AIM:ORCP) lodged its Mine Development and Closure Proposal (MDCP) for the Northern Zone Gold Project with Western Australia's Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration on 30 September, on schedule.
The MDCP is the last major government approval needed before mining can begin at the open pit, located 25km east of Kalgoorlie.
The Northern Zone project has cleared successive regulatory steps this year: Mining Lease M25/389 was granted in July for a 21-year term, a Native Vegetation Clearing Permit application was lodged on 28 August, and objections to haul road licences L25/75 and L25/77 have since been resolved, with formal grant now pending.
Mining operations will be fully funded by MEGA Resources under the 50/50 Right to Mine and Co-operation Agreement signed in September 2025, meaning Oracle requires no upfront development capital.
That agreement has been extended by 12 months to 30 September 2027 to give regulators time to approve the NVCP and MDCP before operations begin.
"With the mining lease granted, the surface vegetation clearing permit application lodged and the haul road objections resolved, Northern Zone can now move towards securing final governmental permitting," chief executive Naheed Memon said, adding the project is "well placed... to move this exciting gold project near Kalgoorlie towards breaking ground."
Oracle holds a 20% interest in Northern Zone, with joint venture partner Riversgold holding the remaining 80%.
The MDCP covers pit dimensions, waste rock landform, haul road access and water management, incorporating geotechnical drilling, groundwater studies and environmental baseline work completed over recent months.
Next steps include DMPE's assessment of the MDCP, grant of the NVCP and haul road licences, and site mobilisation by MEGA Resources once approvals are in place.