Vancouver, British Columbia and Melbourne, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 29, 2026) - Southern Cross Gold Consolidated Ltd (TSX: SXGC) (ASX: SX2) (OTCQX: SXGCF) (FSE: MV3) ("SXGC", "SX2" or the "Company") advises that PYBAR Mining Services Pty Ltd ("PYBAR"), a Thiess company, has fired the first cut in the exploration decline (or tunnel) portal at the Company's Sunday Creek Gold-Antimony Project, 60 kilometres north of Melbourne, Victoria.
This is the first new decline to be developed in the State of Victoria in approximately 20 years. The milestone follows the Resources Victoria Work Plan approval received in November 2025 and Premier Jacinta Allan's public endorsement of the project as a critical minerals jobs opportunity for Victoria.
High Level Takeaways:
First Cut Fired. The first development blast was fired in the exploration decline portal at Sunday Creek, Victoria. This is the first new decline developed in Victoria in approximately 20 years.
Industry Milestone. This is a landmark moment for the Victorian mining sector and a rare career opportunity for the teams involved. Firing of the first cut marks the start of underground development of the exploration decline at Sunday Creek.
Exploration Decline Progress. Box cut earthworks and ground support are complete, the portal is being established and the development jumbo is commencing driving the primary exploration decline.
Drilling Acceleration. Once completed by year end, the decline will allow the current 11 surface rigs to be expanded to 24 surface and underground rigs, positioning Sunday Creek as one of the largest pre-development drill-outs globally.
Future. The decline development supports the ongoing advancement of a project we believe has the potential to become a significant western world supplier of antimony and gold.
Michael Hudson, President & CEO states: "The Victorian Government approved our exploration decline on 27 November 2025. In the months since, we have established the surface infrastructure, the box cut, and we have now fired the first cut underground. This is the first new decline developed in Victoria in around 20 years, and a proud moment for everyone involved.
"The firing of the first cut went as planned and was executed safely. Beyond this being a significant milestone for Sunday Creek, it is a significant milestone for the broader Victorian mining industry. Many people in our sector never get the opportunity to be part of something like this in their career, and I want to thank the PYBAR and SXGC teams onsite who made it happen.