Bald Hill Lithium and Tantalum Mine
| Location | |
|---|---|
  Bald Hill Lithium and Tantalum Mine Location in Western Australia | |
| Location | Widgiemooltha |
| State | Western Australia |
| Country | Australia |
| Coordinates | 31°31′S 122°11′E / 31.52°S 122.18°E |
| Production | |
| Products | Spodumene |
| History | |
| Opened | 2018 |
| Active | 2018-19, 2022-24 |
| Closed | 2024 |
| Owner | |
| Company | Mineral Resources |
| Website | www.mineralresources.com.au |
 | |
The Bald Hill Lithium and Tantalum Mine is a lithium mine in Australia. It was operated previously as a tantalum mine by Haddington International Resources.[1] The mine comprises approximately 774 square kilometres in Western Australia's Eastern Goldfields Coolgardie municipal area. It is located approximately 60 kilometres south-east of Kambalda and 50 kilometres east of Widgiemooltha.[2][3]
In 2019 Bald Hill Lithium and Tantalum Mine was funded to production with existing lithium offtake agreements in place with Hong Kong based Burwill Holdings,.[4] However, the mine ceased production in late 2019.[5]
In November 2022, the mine reopened.[6][7] In November 2024, the mine was closed and put into care and maintenance after a collapse in lithium prices.[8][9]
Ownership
[edit]The Bald Hill Lithium and Tantalum Mine was jointly owned by Tawana Resources and Alliance Mineral Assets,[10][3] who merged in 2018.[11] The combined company initially traded as Alliance Mineral Assets, changing its name to Alita Resources in July 2019.[12] Alita Resources was placed in voluntary administration in August 2019.[13] The company failed when the mine continued to operate but the offtake partner stopped accepting shipments.[14]
In November 2023, the mine was sold to Mineral Resources.[15][16]
Reserves and resources
[edit]The Bald Hill Lithium and Tantalum Mine has reserves amounting to 11.3 million tonnes (25 billion pounds) grading 1.01% lithium and 160 parts per million tantalum for 114,100 tonnes (250 million pounds) in contained lithium and 1,800 tonnes (4 million pounds) of contained tantalum. The increased reserve underpins an initial nine-year mine life.[clarification needed] The contained lithium resource is estimated to be 26.5 megatonnes (58 billion pounds) grading 0.96% lithium, 149 parts per million tantalum for 255,200 tonnes (560 million pounds) of contained lithium and 3.9 thousand tonnes (8.6 million pounds) of contained tantalum. Additionally, with the ongoing infill drilling program, further upgrades are targeted for later this year.[needs update][2][3]
References
[edit]- ^ "Haddington expected to boost Bald Hill tantalum resource". www.miningnews.net. 25 January 2002. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
- ^ a b "Tawana Resources' Bald Hill lithium reserve upgrade underpins nine year mine life, more expected". Small Caps. 6 June 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
- ^ a b c "Alliance Mineral Assets doubles its West Australian lithium reserves". Reuters. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
- ^ "Bald Hill Lithium and Tantalum Mine". mining-technology.com.
- ^ Australian Venture Consultants Pty Ltd (June 2020). "A case for building resilience into Western Australia's lithium industry" (PDF). Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
- ^ Western Australia's principal resource projects 2021-22 Department of Mines, Industry Regulation & Safety
- ^ The eight mines most at risk of closure amid a battery metals slump Australian Financial Review 9 January 2024
- ^ Lithium mine to close in WA putting 300 jobs at risk Nine News 13 November 2024
- ^ MinRes mothballs Bald Hill lithium mine Business News 13 November 2024
- ^ "Tawana, Alliance achieve commercial lithium production at Bald Hill mine - Australian Mining". Australian Mining. 31 July 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
- ^ Tawana ceases trading following Alliance merger Australian Mining 5 December 2018
- ^ Change of company name to Alita Resources Limited Alita Resources 16 July 2019
- ^ Appointment of Voluntary Administrators KordaMentha 29 August 2019
- ^ Smith, Josh (16 January 2020). "Alita Resources (ASX:A40) shareholders to leave with empty pockets". The Market Herald. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
- ^ MinRes pays $260m for mine in WA lithium heartland Australian Financial Review 22 November 2023
- ^ MinRes acquires Bald Hill lithium mine Mineral Resources 23 November 2023