Mining Intelligence and News
Australia

Lanfranchi Mine

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Categories

Summary

Mine TypeUnderground
Study in ProgressPrefeasibility
StageRestarting
Commodities
  • Nickel
  • Copper
Mining Method
  • Longhole open stoping
Backfill type ... Lock
SnapshotLanfranchi mine were placed on care and maintenance in November 2015. The mine consists of a nickel sulphide orebody, underground mine and associated infrastructure.

In 2023, Lanfranchi mine has been dewatered, ventilated and is in a ready state. All approvals are in place to recommence production.

Development study to a PFS standard is underway. Aggressive exploration is underway to support a restart of production.

In 2024, Cherish Metals announced an updated Mineral Resource for the Lanfranchi Nickel Project, confirming a substantial increase in resources.

As of 2025, no public updates or confirmations regarding the current status of the Lanfranchi Project have been identified.

Owners

SourceSource
CompanyInterestOwnership
Tembo Capital Group 100 % Indirect
The Lanfranchi Nickel Mine (LNM) is wholly-owned by Cherish Metals Pty Ltd.

On October 05, 2021, Black Mountain Resources and the Tembo Capital Group created a strategic partnership to jointly advance the Lanfranchi nickel sulphide mine in Western Australia. As part of the transaction, Black Mountain sold a 50% ownership interest in Lanfranchi to Tembo Capital.

A 50:50 JV was entered into by Tembo Capital and BMM in 2021, with Tembo taking full ownership of Cherish Metals in 2023.

Deposit type

  • Magmatic

Summary:

High-grade nickel sulphide deposits at Lanfranchi occur as ribbon-like shoots at the base of high magnesium komatiite lava flows or channels. The shoots and high-magnesium lava flows occupy channel structures developed in the underlying Lunnon (footwall) basalt. Above the high-magnesium komatiite flows is a thick sequence of progressively less magnesium-rich komatiite flows. Ten channel structures are recognised at Lanfranchi of which six have been mined historically.

Reserves

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Mining Methods

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Heavy Mobile Equipment

Fleet data has not been reported.

Comminution

Crushers and Mills

Milling equipment has not been reported.

Processing

Summary:

The nickel ore is trucked and treated at BHP Billiton Nickel West's Kambalda nickel concentrator under an Ore Tolling and Concentrate Purchase Agreement.

Recoveries & Grades:

CommodityParameter20162015
Nickel Head Grade, % 2.332.26

Commodity Production

CommodityUnits20162015
All production numbers are expressed as metal in concentrate.

Operational metrics

Metrics20162015
Ore tonnes mined 43,692 t468,491 t

Production Costs

Commodity production costs have not been reported.

Personnel

Mine Management

Job TitleNameProfileRef. Date
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Oct 8, 2025

Workforce

Aerial view:

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