AngloGold Ashanti and its Tropicana joint venture (JV) partner Regis Resources have approved the development of the Havana underground project in Western Australia.

This development is set to deliver gold production, primarily between 2027 and 2029, above the existing Tropicana mine plan.

Located 330km east-north-east of Kalgoorlie, the Tropicana Gold Mine spans a 6km strike length and houses four mineralised zones including the Havana deposit, where the new underground project will be developed.

Regis Resources holds a 30% stake in the JV while AngloGold Ashanti owns the remaining interest.

The Havana underground project will involve the creation of an underground mine beneath the producing Havana open pit, with mineralisation extending from around 500–700m below the surface.

The project is expected to utilise the existing infrastructure at Tropicana, requiring only minor additions for power, communication, ventilation and dewatering.

The extracted ore from Havana will be processed through the Tropicana plant, which has a capacity of approximately 9.4 million tonnes per annum.

With the Havana underground project under way, Tropicana's production will benefit from three underground sources.

Regis Resources managing director and CEO Jim Beyer said: “The approval of the Havana underground project is further demonstration of the underground growth optionality across Tropicana.

“Tropicana has consistently replaced underground ore reserves at levels beyond depletion, and the approval to develop the Havana underground project provides us with further confidence in the long-term future of Tropicana’s underground growth. It also demonstrates the positive impact any additional underground growth can have on value.”

The Havana orebody's depth potential suggests further exploration could extend the mine's life and enhance its value.