Bald Hill Lithium and Tantalum Mine

The Bald Hill Lithium and Tantalum Mine is a lithium mine in Australia. It was closed, but 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]

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
Location in Western Australia
LocationWidgiemooltha
StateWestern Australia
CountryAustralia
Coordinates31.52°S 122.18°E / -31.52; 122.18
Production
ProductsSpodumene
History
Opened2018
ClosedAugust 2019 (2019-08)
Owner
CompanyLithco No.2 Pty Ltd

In 2019 Bald 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).[4]

The mine ceased production in late 2019.[5]

Ownership

The Bald Hill Lithium and Tantalum Mine was jointly owned by Tawana Resources and Alliance Mineral Assets Limited.[6][3] Tawana and Alliance Mineral Assets Limited merged in a $446 million merger in 2018.[7] 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.[8] The company failed when the mine continued to operate but the offtake partner stopped accepting shipments.[9]

As of 2022, the mine is owned by Lithco No.2 Pty Ltd which, in turn, is indirectly fully owned by Alita Resources. Lithco secured a US$30 million loan from Yihe Cleantech Material Limited for the purpose of resuming operations at the mine in March 2022.[10]

Reserves and resources

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 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. "Tawana Resources' Bald Hill lithium reserve upgrade underpins nine year mine life, more expected". Small Caps. 6 June 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  3. Reuters Editorial. "Alliance Mineral Assets doubles its West Australian lithium reserves". U.S. Retrieved 2 September 2018. {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  4. "Bald Hill Lithium and Tantalum Mine". mining-technology.com.
  5. 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.
  6. "Tawana, Alliance achieve commercial lithium production at Bald Hill mine - Australian Mining". Australian Mining. 31 July 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  7. Erkan, Berkay (4 December 2018). "Tawana Resources merger with Alliance Mineral Assets becomes effective".
  8. "Home". Alliance Mineral Assets. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  9. Smith, Josh (16 January 2020). "Alita Resources (ASX:A40) shareholders to leave with empty pockets". The Market Herald. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
  10. "Shareholder Update – status of Bald Hill Mine" (PDF). www.allianceminerals.com.au. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
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