• SMS promotes Ashley Jones to managing director, an experienced mine manager
• Move set to advance development of Tumblegum South gold project
• Company recently raised $1.6m and scored new strategic investor

Special Report: Star Minerals has appointed a new managing director in Ashley Jones to drive development of its Tumblegum South gold project in WA.

Jones has managed mining and exploration projects in Australia and Africa over the last 20 years, with a particular expertise in feasibility level projects on resources and mine development.

“Ashley has been a director of Star Minerals (ASX:SMS) for the past four years and has brought a wide breadth of commercial and technical knowledge to the company,” chair Ian Stuart said.

“I am looking forward to seeing him develop our Tumblegum South gold project towards production and building value for our shareholders.”

Jones will step down from his executive role at Bryah Resources (ASX:BYH) effective April 1, 2025, and will join that company’s board as a non-executive director.

With a 45,000oz contained gold resource on a granted mining lease, the company believes Tumblegum South can be swiftly brought into production.

Watch: Taking Tumblegum gold to production

Advancing Tumblegum South

Earlier this month, SMS raised $1.6m to advance the project, and scored a new strategic investor in Indian private equity giant Bain Global Resources (BGR).

BGR was attracted to the economics of the project as outlined in the updated scoping study released in May 2024 and is interested in the exploration and project economic opportunity given the sustained surge in the gold price, the company said at the time.

“I am excited to move into an executive role at Star Minerals, at a time when our Tumblegum South gold project is progressing towards mining operations,” Jones said.

“I will be focusing on monetising this asset and developing other opportunities for the company that will benefit all our shareholders.”

The company plans to complete infill and extensional drilling, a resource upgrade, approvals and environmental studies, and a feasibility study towards the decision to mine.

Listen: Getting the gold out from Tumblegum South

This article was developed in collaboration with Star Minerals, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.