Northern Star said on Friday its best estimate was it would produce more than 1.5 million ounces of gold in 2025/26, but achieving even the lower end of its revised production guidance of 1.6-1.7 million ounces would be challenging.
The goldminer began the financial year forecasting it might mine as much as 1.85 million ounces of gold, but abandoned that prediction on January 2 after another issue at the Super Pit.
The West Australian mine's primary crusher failed four weeks earlier, reducing throughput at its processing plant.
A project to expand the Super Pit's mill is progressing well and on track for commissioning in early 2026/27, Northern Star said Friday.
There were about 800 contractors working on the site and another 400 engaged in enabling works, the company said.
"The company's focus remains on the safe, disciplined and timely delivery of this significant value-creating investment," Northern Star said.
At 3.7 km long, 1.5km wide and 480m deep, the Super Pit is Australia's biggest goldmine and a significant tourist attraction in the WA Goldfields region.
Northern Star managing director and chief executive Stuart Tonkin said the company was abandoning its guidance because it didn't want to focus on achieving short-term goals above all else.
"The production focus over this period will be on extracting ounces in the most effective way, from both a cost and mining efficiency perspective," he said on Friday.
There had also been mining productivity issues at Northern Star's Jundee goldmine in WA, the company said.
In early trading, Northern Star shares had fallen 13.5 per cent to $23.13, their lowest level since September.
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