WPG Resources
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Industry | Mining |
| Predecessor | Western Plains Gold |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Defunct | 8 August 2018 |
| Fate | Entered receivership |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
Area served | South Australia |
| Products | Gold, nickel, base metals, iron ore, coal |
WPG Resources—previously known as Western Plains Gold—was a mining enterprise dedicated to the exploration, assessment, and advancement of gold and coal ventures within South Australia.
Established in 2004, Western Plains Gold secured a listing on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) on 23 August 2005. The company entered receivership on 8 August 2018 and was subsequently removed from the ASX listings on 3 February 2020.
WPG managed operations at the Challenger underground gold mine and operated a processing mill with an annual capacity of 650,000 tonnes in Tarcoola, South Australia. Additionally, it controlled the Perseverance open-cut mine situated approximately 130 km to the southeast.
Port Pirie iron ore export proposal
The firm acquired property at Port Pirie along Spencer Gulf’s eastern coastline and proposed constructing a covered facility for iron ore stockpiling and loading. The concept included transferring ore via barge to Cape or Panamax class ships.
In 2011, WPG divested its iron ore holdings—including the Peculiar Knob deposit located within the Woomera Protected Area—to OneSteel for an estimated $346 million. Later, in November 2014, WPG revealed intentions to sell its Port Pirie land to generate capital for advancing gold mining initiatives.
Diversification
By 2014, WPG Resources had acquired both the Tunkillia and Tarcoola gold projects, marking its transition from an iron ore-focused explorer to a mining company with a diversified asset base. As of 2015, WPG's South Australian mining interests covered an area of 5,373 square kilometres, encompassing developed gold projects. The company concentrated on extracting gold, nickel, base metals, iron ore, and coal.