MinRes restarts Bald Hill lithium mine in WA

Mineral Resources (MinRes) has announced the resumption of activities at its wholly owned Bald Hill lithium mine located 50km south-east of Kambalda, Western Australia (WA).

The decision follows a notable and ongoing rise in lithium prices, bolstered by thorough planning in recent months.

The mine was put on care and maintenance in November 2024 to maintain capital and preserve the value of its 58.1 million tonnes at 0.94% lithium oxide until market conditions improved.

Bald Hill has the capacity to produce around 165,000 dry tonnes per annum (dtpa) of 5.1% spodumene concentrate (SC), equivalent to 140,000dmt of SC 6% (SC6) each year.

The company's current infrastructure and workforce networks are expected to facilitate a swift and safe restart of operations.

Initial site activities will increase in late May, with the start of mining and crushing operations expected in June.

SC production is anticipated in July.

The first shipment from the Port of Esperance is anticipated in the first quarter (Q1) of fiscal year 2027 (FY27), with full capacity expected by Q2.

The Mining Services division of MinRes will manage mining-related tasks, aligning with the company’s integrated model.

Restart efforts are projected to incur costs of approximately A$20m ($14.3m) in Q4 FY26, incorporating working capital expenses.

The restart is set to generate approximately 370 jobs, with around 110 personnel to be reassigned from other MinRes operations.

MinRes managing director Chris Ellison said: “With strong and sustained demand for spodumene concentrate driving a significant recovery in prices, the time is right to restart operations at Bald Hill.

“The combination of a high-quality, production-ready asset and the in-house capability of our mining services business means MinRes is well-placed to rapidly capitalise on the resurgent lithium market.

“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.”

In November 2025, MinRes and POSCO Holdings signed a binding agreement to form a lithium joint venture partnership.

"MinRes restarts Bald Hill lithium mine in WA" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.

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