Bald Hill Lithium and Tantalum Mine

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Bald Hill Lithium and Tantalum Mine
Location
Map of Western Australia showing mine site
Map of Western Australia showing mine site
Bald Hill Lithium and Tantalum Mine
LocationWidgiemooltha
stateWestern Australia
CountryAustralia
Coordinates31°31′S 122°11′E / 31.52°S 122.18°E / -31.52; 122.18Coordinates: 31°31′S 122°11′E / 31.52°S 122.18°E / -31.52; 122.18
Production
Productsspodumene
History
ClosedAugust 2019 (2019-08)

The Bald Hill Lithium and Tantalum Mine is the first lithium mine to produce commercial lithium produce in Australia for nearly a decade. It is being re-opened for tantalum production. It previously was operated 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 around 50 kilometres east of Widgiemooltha.[2][3]

The Ball Hill Lithium and Tantalum Mine was funded to production with existing lithium offtake agreements in place with a Hong-Kong based company, Burwill Holdings Limited (SEHK: 24) for the next 5 years.[citation needed]

The mine ceased production in late 2019.[4]

Ownership[]

The Ball Hill Lithium and Tantalum Mine was jointly owned by Tawana Resources and Alliance Mineral Assets Limited.[5][3] Tawana and Alliance Mineral Assets Limited merged in a $446 million merger in 2018.[6] The combined company initially trades as Alliance Mineral Assets, but changed its name to Alita Resources in July 2019. Administrators were appointed in August 2019.[7] The company failed when the mine continued to operate but the offtake partner stopped accepting shipments.[8]

Reserves and resources[]

The Ball 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 now underpinning an initial nine-year mine life. 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.[2][3]

References[]

  1. ^ "Haddington expected to boost Bald Hill tantalum resource". www.miningnews.net. 25 January 2002. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  2. ^ Jump up to: 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.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c Editorial, Reuters. "Alliance Mineral Assets doubles its West Australian lithium reserves". U.S. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  4. ^ Australian Venture Consultants Pty Ltd (June 2020). "A case for building resilience into Western Australia's lithium industry" (PDF). Chamber of Minerals and Energy Western Australia. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  5. ^ "Tawana, Alliance achieve commercial lithium production at Bald Hill mine - Australian Mining". Australian Mining. 31 July 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  6. ^ Erkan, Berkay (4 December 2018). "Tawana Resources merger with Alliance Mineral Assets becomes effective".
  7. ^ "Home". Alliance Mineral Assets. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  8. ^ Smith, Josh (16 January 2020). "Alita Resources (ASX:A40) shareholders to leave with empty pockets". The Market Herald. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
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