Gold mineralisation is associated with sheeted quartz vein sets within a hosting granodiorite stock and pervasively carbonate altered ultramafic rocks. Mineralisation is thought to have occurred within a brittle/ductile shear zone with the main thrust shear zone forming the primary conduit for the mineralising fluids. Pre-existing quartz veining and brittle fracturing of the granite created a network of second order conduits for mineralising fluids.

Gold appears as free particles or associated with traces of base metals sulphides (galena, chalcopyrite, pyrite) intergrown within quartz along late stage fractures.

The principal mining method used for the underground operation at King of the Hills (KOTH) is long hole stoping. Where the orientation or width of the lode cannot be mined efficiently by long hole stoping handheld air-leg ‘room and pillar’ and ‘up hole’ stripping is utilised. These are proven mining methods employed at KOTH that is associated with good productivities and reasonable costs. Ground conditions underground at KOTH are good. Mine designs have had 10-15% planned external dilution applied.

Ore from the King of the Hills (KOTH) underground operation is trucked approximately 135 km, using road trains, to be processed at the Darlot CIL (Carbon in leach) processing facility. Metallurgical recoveries of 94% have been used which is in line with historic gold recoveries at KOTH experienced by previous operators, St. Barbara Limited and Saracen Mineral Holdings.