07:30 AM EDT, 09/05/2024 (MT Newswires) -- Westgold Resources ( WGXRF ) said overnight Wednesday that it commenced mining of the South Junction lode within the Bluebird-South Junction mining complex at the Meekatharra operation in Australia.

The company said sub-level open stoping commenced in August on the South Junction Lode.

"The commencement of mining on the South Junction Lode is a company milestone, achieved in short order by a focussed team," Westgold Managing Director and CEO Wayne Bramwell said. "This lode is one of many mineralized lodes being tested across the Bluebird-South Junction mining complex, with the Polar Star Lode the next target to being evaluated."

The company said drilling across South Junction continues to extend the system. Highlights include 14.93 meters at 15.95 grams per tonne (g/t) gold and 6.83 meters at 15.31 g/t gold.

Westgold plans to release an updated resource estimate for the Polar Star lode in the third quarter of its fiscal 2025.

The company's share price lost 2.7% yesterday to $2.49 on the TSX.