Ashurst has advised Northern Star Resources Limited (Northern Star) as the buyer, in the A$25 million acquisition of Barrick Gold's Plutonic gold mine and associated assets, located in Western Australia.

As part of the acquisition, Northern Star will also acquire a three million tonnes per annum processing plant, an underground mobile fleet, a 15 Mega-Watt (MW) gas fired power station, an 8MW diesel back up station and a 600-person accommodation village.

The acquisition means that Northern Star will have two substantial operating gold mines and will transform Northern Star into a top-four Australian single commodity gold producer, with annual production expected to be in excess of 200,000 ounces per annum.

Ashurst lead partner on the matter, Adam Conway said: "This is an important and exciting acquisition for Northern Star. We are delighted to have assisted Northern Star with fulfilling its long stated objective of expanding its business through strategic acquisitions. We look forward to working with Northern Star on further transactions and assisting Northern Star as it transforms into a leading Australian gold producing company." 

The Ashurst team included lead partner Adam Conway and lawyer Cassandra Wee (Resources West), and partner Roger Davies, senior associate Chadwick Poletti and lawyer Themo Georgiou  (Corporate).