Ausgold (ASX:AUC) has executed an early works agreement with preferred engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor Lycopodium, enabling the commencement of detailed engineering and project execution planning ahead of a final investment decision (FID) targeted for the end of the year at its Katanning gold project in Western Australia, according to a Monday Australian bourse filing.

The company said it has also signed an early works agreement with preferred build-own-operate power provider CrossBoundary Energy, allowing detailed engineering and procurement of long-lead equipment to commence for the planned hybrid gas, solar, and battery energy storage system power station.

Environmental permitting continues to advance, with all additional information requested by the Western Australia Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) submitted, including completion of a comprehensive program of targeted field surveys, the filing added.

Targeted surveys have been completed, including a specialist trapdoor spider survey requested by regulators, with no occurrences identified within the project footprint. The commencement of a native seedling planting program to create vegetation screening was also noted, it added.