ASX-listed gold explorers MacPhersons Resources and Torian Resources appear headed for the Warden’s Court in a battle over prospective ground in the shadows of Kalgoorlie-Boulder’s Super Pit.

WestBusiness can reveal both companies sent representatives into bushland at midnight on July 8 to peg the tenements, 7km east of the Golden Mile which has produced more than 56Moz.

In scenes reminiscent of the late Billy Bierberg, an enterprising American famously known as the “Midnight Pegger”, the separate groups assembled in the dark because the prospecting licences expired after eight years at midnight.

US giant Newmont Mining, which owns a 50 per cent stake in the Super Pit alongside Barrick Gold, is also understood to have pegged the ground but was late to the party.

The tenements were previously held by Keith Weston’s cash-strapped Victorian company MRG Metals, which referred to its 17sqkm holding as the Kalgoorlie East project.

MacPhersons and Torian have each applied for 10 prospecting licences covering a combined 12.39sqkm.

The Boorara gold project, where MacPhersons is progressing a bankable feasibility study for an open pit mine and heap leach project, is 1km to the east.

The prolific nature of the area is also underlined by Northern Star Resources’ Kanowna Belle gold mine, 12km to the north, which has produced more than 6Moz.

Torian’s managing director Matt Sullivan, a veteran geologist who was part of the team which discovered Kanowna Belle in 1989, said he was willing to negotiate with MacPhersons.

“They have my number and let’s just say 50 per cent of something is better than 100 per cent of nothing,” he said.

MacPhersons managing director Jeff Williams and operations manager Andrew Pumphrey both declined to comment.

If the matter ends up before the Mining Warden it would likely be settled by ballot.

If Torian is successful it would continue a stellar run for Mr Sullivan’s small exploration team.

WestBusiness earlier this year reported that a Kalgoorlie-based employee of Torian had privately earned the nickname “Midnight Ninja” after completing four separate raids on prospective ground in six months.

“It’s business as usual for the ninja crew,” Mr Sullivan quipped.

“It’s (the latest raid) an excellent opportunity and there are plenty out there. So much ground is being turned over this year.”

Mr Bierberg, who died in mysterious circumstances in January 1995, was at the centre of one of WA mining’s biggest David and Goliath struggles.

He was dubbed the “Midnight Pegger” after learning Pancontinental Mining’s 21-year lease on the Paddington gold mine was due to expire at midnight on December 31, 1985.

Minister for Minerals David Parker responded by invoking his power under the Mining Act, deciding it was in the public interest to renew Pancontinental’s lease.