Auric Mining Names Processing Lead to Drive Burbanks Mill Development
Auric Mining Limited (ASX: AWJ) (“Auric” or “the Company”) has appointed Mr. Scott Bailey to the executive role of Processing Lead, tasking him with heading the development and construction of the Burbanks Processing Facility at Coolgardie, Western Australia. Scott will commence with the Company on 20 April 2026.
The appointment arrives at a critical point for the Company. Auric acquired the Burbanks gold processing plant for $4.4 million in 2025, having identified the asset as a long-term pathway toward owning its own processing capacity. Getting the right person to lead that build-out has been a stated priority.
Figure 1: Auric Mining’s project footprint in Western Australia’s Eastern Goldfields, showing the proximity of its producing and development assets to the Burbanks processing facility. [Auric Mining]
Scott Bailey’s Credentials Fit the Burbanks Brief
Scott Bailey brings a career developed entirely in Western Australia’s gold mining industry. He began his working life at the original Burbanks Mill, which gives him a direct and personal connection to the facility the Company is now working to bring back to life.
From those early operational roles, Bailey worked through successive positions of increasing responsibility. His career has taken him through KCGM and Westgold Resources before his most recent role as Corporate Group Processing Manager at Black Cat Syndicate.
At Black Cat, he was central to two projects that will be of particular interest to Auric investors:
- The acquisition and recommissioning of the Lakewood Processing Plant.
- The refurbishment and restart of the Paulsen’s Gold Mine, which was delivered ahead of schedule and under budget.
Bailey also managed all of Black Cat’s day-to-day gold operations during his tenure. That operational depth, across both development and production phases, is the profile Auric needed for this role.
Leadership’s Take on the Appointment
Auric Chairman Steve Morris was direct about what this appointment means for the Company’s broader development plan.
“The development of Burbanks is a key plank in our transition to a fully integrated gold producer in our own right. And critical to that is putting together the team who can deliver that facility,” said Mr. Morris.
“Scott’s experience with Black Cat at the Lakewood Mill and his previous roles show that he is, we believe, the best person to plan and deliver Burbanks as a facility of the right size, at the right cost and in the best timeframe to allow us to achieve that status.”
Managing Director Mark English framed the appointment in equally clear terms.
“Scott’s appointment solves a major piece of our development and construction puzzle,” said Mr. English.
“Importantly, it lets our shareholders and everyone know how intent and focused we are on getting Burbanks up, running and operational again. It will ultimately put us in total control of our destiny. In our view: own the infrastructure, own the cash flow.”
English also flagged the broader market context driving the urgency. “Particularly in this market, where toll milling opportunities are diminishing. We have a clear strategy and focus in Auric becoming an integrated mining house in our own right.”
Why the Burbanks Mill Matters for Auric Mining’s Growth Plan
To understand the significance of this appointment, it helps to understand why the Company pursued Burbanks in the first place.
Auric has built its production track record using toll milling arrangements, where ore is transported to a third-party mill for processing. That model has worked well enough to generate profits, but it comes with limitations on cost control, scheduling, and margin capture.
Figure 2: Photograph of the Burbanks Processing Facility site near Coolgardie, WA. …
