Mineral Resources (ASX:MIN) is relaunching its Bald Hill Lithium Mine, located 50km southeast of Kambalda in Western Australia.
According to MinRes, the decision was made after a “significant and sustained” 195.3% jump in lithium spot prices to $1.27 per troy ounce over the past year, along with months of diligent planning.
The mine, which has been in care and maintenance since November 2024, has an annual production capacity of circa 165,000 dry metric tonnes (dmt) of 5.1% spodumene concentrate. This equates to 140,000 dmt of spodumene concentrate per year.
MinRes will draw on existing site inventory, mining equipment, and workforce networks as site activity ramps up in late May 2026. Crushing and mining operations will start in June, and first spodumene concentrate production from July.
The initial shipment of spodumene concentrate from the Port of Esperance is expected in the first quarter of the 2027 financial year, with a ramp up to full capacity during the second quarter of fiscal 2027.
The reopening will create about 370 new jobs, 29.7% of which will be redeployed from other MinRes operations.
Mining.com.au can reveal that restarting Bald Hill is estimated to cost $20 million throughout the last quarter of fiscal 2026.
“With strong and sustained demand for spodumene concentrate driving a significant recovery in prices, the time is right to restart operations at Bald Hill,” Managing Director Chris Ellison says.
“Once production resumes at Bald Hill, MinRes will be the only company globally operating three hard rock lithium mines, each with their own spodumene concentrate facilities.
“This uniquely positions us as a leader in the lithium market and demonstrates our commitment to meeting the world’s growing demand for battery minerals.”
Mineral Resources is an integrated goods and services supplier to the resources sector, predominantly in Western Australia.
Write to Richard Szabo at Mining.com.au
Images: Mineral Resources
