ECR Minerals plc (AIM: ECR) said it is targeting first alluvial gold production in 2026, following the expected completion of its acquisition of the Raglan project before the end of 2025.
The Raglan deal includes a granted mining lease and a wash plant, which ECR believes will allow it to move quickly into production. The company said the acquisition, together with its existing Blue Mountain project, positions it well to establish near-term, low-cost alluvial gold operations.
During 2025, ECR reported strong alluvial drilling results at Blue Mountain in Central Queensland, with grades of up to 6.52 grammes per bank cubic metre and visible coarse gold encountered, supporting the case for commercial production. At the Lolworth project, maiden drilling confirmed the presence of a gold-silver system, returning intercepts of 2 metres at 3.57 g/t gold and 4 metres at 7.18 g/t silver.
ECR also highlighted the strategic benefit of its accumulated tax losses, which total approximately A$76 million on an aggregate basis. The company expects these losses to materially enhance early-stage profitability at both the Raglan and Blue Mountain projects once production begins.
Expected 2026 Operational Milestones
ECR enters the new year with a focused and deliverable plan:
· Raglan: Commencement of first alluvial gold production, following completion of acquisition, site preparation and mobilisation of personnel.
· Blue Mountain: Progression towards early-stage production, building on visible gold, expanding mineable corridors and further wash-plant trials.
· Operational integration between Raglan and Blue Mountain, seeking to establish a scalable, repeatable alluvial production model.
· Lolworth: Ongoing exploration for gold, silver and REE targets.
· Progression of the proposed Creswick JV discussions with Bold Gold.
· Strategic use of the aggregate A$76m of ECR and Raglan tax losses, expected to materially enhance early-stage future profitability for Raglan and Blue Mountain.
ECR Chairman Nick Tulloch commented: “2025 has been a pivotal year for ECR. Across the portfolio we have delivered meaningful progress: Blue Mountain continues to outperform expectations with visible coarse gold and expanding mineable areas; Lolworth has confirmed itself as a multi-metal system with gold, silver and rare earth potential; and the forthcoming completion of our Raglan acquisition gives us a fully permitted, turnkey alluvial gold operation ready to move towards production. Together, we consider that these milestones place ECR in its strongest operational position in recent years.
“We believe that the year ahead will see ECR evolve from a pure explorer into a company with nearer-term production and cashflow potential, supported by two complementary alluvial projects and substantial tax losses that enhance early economics. We enter 2026 with alignment, momentum and a clear plan to deliver a step-change year for the business.
“On behalf of the Board, I would like to wish all our shareholders, partners and stakeholders a safe and happy Christmas. We greatly appreciate your continued support and look forward to a transformational year ahead for ECR Minerals.”
