Overview
| Stage | Production |
| Mine Type | Open Pit |
| Commodities |
|
| Mining Method |
|
| Processing |
|
| Mine Life | 9 years (as of Jan 1, 2018) |
Lithium and tantalum concentrate production commenced at Bald Hill on March 14, 2018. |
| Latest News | Alita Resources moves into voluntary administration August 30, 2019 |
SMS is providing contract mining services to Tawana Resources on a four year contract.
Summary:
The Bald Hill Pegmatite Mineral Resource comprises one large, main, sub horizontal pegmatite body, striking north-south, with a strike length of 1,070 metres, and a width at its widest point of 775 metres.
This main body is surrounded by several smaller discrete pegmatite bodies, sub-parallel to the main, which result in a total strike length for the whole resource of 1,245 metres, and a total width of 990 metres. The Mineral Resource has a total vertical depth of 195 metres, beginning 20 metres below the natural surface and plunging gently to the south along its entire strike length.
Summary:
SMS Innovative Mining Solutions Pty Ltd is undertaking contract open-pit mining of the lithium and tantalite ore. The mining of staged open pits uses a conventional truck/excavator mining method.
Current key mining equipment on site includes 1 x 360t Excavator, 1 X 200t excavator, 1 x 120t Excavator, a fleet of Cat785/777 trucks and ancillary equipment including dozers, graders, loaders and water carts.
Drill and blast is being undertaken under sub contract by JSW Australia using a combination of top hammer and down hole hammer drill rigs.
To minimise ore loss and dilution, ore is being mined in blocks of shallow bench height of 2.5m with drill and blast limited to 5m depth is areas containing ore. Bulk waste is mined utilising 5m to 10m benches, with bulk waste drill and blast targeting 10m benches.
Summary:
The Bald Hill Mine commenced lithium concentrate production effective 14 March 2018. The Mine is currently in ramp-up with the Stage 1 DMS plant performing at about nameplate capacity with utilisation rates exceeding expectations. The Stage 1 DMS includes a spirals circuit for -1mm lithium fines which is producing tantalum pre-concentrates.
The successful Stage 1 DMS plant was constructed on time and on budget by Primero Group (Primero). The JV partners and Primero are undertaking a review of the Stage 1 DMS circuit performance and proposed 1mm fines circuit design, with the aim of identifying minor design improvements for a possible Stage 2 DMS circuit which will advance the Stage 1 DMS design. The proposed fines circuit and existing slimes thickening facility would be common to both modules.
Operational Metrics:
| Metrics | 2018 |
|
Annual processing rate
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Reserves at December 1, 2018:
| Category | Tonnage | Commodity | Grade | ContainedÂ
Commodity |
|
Probable
|
11.3 Mt
|
Li2O
|
1.01 %
|
114,100 t
|
|
Probable
|
11.3 Mt
|
Ta2O5
|
160 g/t
|
4,000 k lbs
|
|
Indicated
|
14.4 Mt
|
Li2O
|
1.02 %
|
147,200 t
|
|
Indicated
|
14.4 Mt
|
Ta2O5
|
168 g/t
|
5,300 k lbs
|
|
Inferred
|
12.1 Mt
|
Li2O
|
0.9 %
|
108,000 t
|
|
Inferred
|
12.1 Mt
|
Ta2O5
|
123 g/t
|
3,300 k lbs
|
Mine Management:
| Job Title | Name | Profile | Ref. Date |
.......................
|
.......................
|
|
Oct 30, 2018
|
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Corporate Filings & Presentations:
| Document | Year |
|
...................................
|
2018
|
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News:
Aerial view:
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