Name of the Project
Bald Hill lithium plant.
Location
The project area is located 50 km south-east of Kambalda, in the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia.
Client
Tawana Resources and Alliance Mineral Assets Limited (AMAL).
Project Description
The project comprises four mining leases, one mining lease application, 12 exploration licences, eight prospecting licences and one general purpose lease totalling 790 km.
A July 2017 prefeasibility study (PFS) confirmed the technical and financial viability of a low-capital-cost, 1.2-million-tonne-a-year lithium dense-media separation (DMS) circuit, adjacent to the existing tantalum processing facility at Bald Hill.
The PFS estimates initial production of 155 000 t/y of spodumene concentrate from the DMS and 260 000 lb/y of tantalum pentoxide from the tantalum processing facility. Further feasibility work is being undertaken on a lithium fines circuit to treat stockpiled fines and middlings, which has the potential to add to production.
Potential Job Creation
About 200 people will be on site during the peak construction period.
Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has an expected internal rate of return of 185%.
Value
A$42.20-million.
Duration
The first shipment of lithium concentrate is scheduled for March 2018.
Latest Developments
Tawana Resources and AMAL are preparing for the start of lithium concentrate production from Bald Hill during the current quarter.
Tawana MD Mark Calderwood has said that the project is entering “the home straight”, with commissioning expected to start within two months.
The project’s construction and development had been significantly advanced over the past two months, with the DMS plant steelwork installation nearing completion; the piping and electrical cabling advancing; the power station installed and partly commissioned; the run-of-mine pad and crusher pad nearing completion; and mining ramping up, with daily movements reaching 16 000 m3/d.
The first lithium concentrate delivery is expected in April 2018, with the project fully funded to first shipment.
Work on the reserve upgrade is also under way, with the results expected during this quarter.
Key Contracts and Suppliers
Primero Group (EPC).
On Budget and on Time?
The project is on track for commissioning to start in the first quarter of 2018.
Contact Details for Project Information
Tawana investor relations, tel +61 8 9489 2600 or email admin@tawana.com.au.