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. 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.
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. However, the mine ceased production in late 2019.
In November 2022, the mine reopened.Western Australia's principal resource projects 2021-22 Department of Mines, Industry Regulation & SafetyThe eight mines most at risk of closure amid a battery metals slump Australian Financial Review 9 January 2024 In November 2024, the mine was closed and put into care and maintenance after a collapse in lithium prices.Lithium mine to close in WA putting 300 jobs at risk Nine News 13 November 2024MinRes mothballs Bald Hill lithium mine Business News 13 November 2024
Ownership The Bald Hill Lithium and Tantalum Mine was jointly owned by Tawana Resources and Alliance Mineral Assets, who merged in 2018.Tawana ceases trading following Alliance merger Australian Mining 5 December 2018 The combined company initially traded as Alliance Mineral Assets, changing its name to Alita Resources in July 2019.Change of company name to Alita Resources Limited Alita Resources 16 July 2019 Alita Resources was placed in voluntary administration in August 2019.Appointment of Voluntary Administrators KordaMentha 29 August 2019 The company failed when the mine continued to operate but the offtake partner stopped accepting shipments.
In November 2023, the mine was sold to Mineral Resources.MinRes pays $260m for mine in WA lithium heartland Australian Financial Review 22 November 2023MinRes acquires Bald Hill lithium mine Mineral Resources 23 November 2023
Reserves and resources The Bald Hill Lithium and Tantalum Mine has reserves amounting to grading 1.01% lithium and 160 parts per million tantalum for in contained lithium and of contained tantalum. The increased reserve underpins an initial nine-year mine life. The contained lithium resource is estimated to be grading 0.96% lithium, 149 parts per million tantalum for of contained lithium and of contained tantalum. Additionally, with the ongoing infill drilling program, further upgrades
References
External links MINEDEX website: Bald Hill Database of the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation & Safety