Mineral Resources (MinRes) has announced the resumption of activities at its wholly owned Bald Hill lithium mine, located 50 km south-east of Kambalda in Western Australia. The decision follows a notable and ongoing rise in lithium prices, bolstered by thorough planning in recent months.
From care and maintenance to production
The mine was placed on care and maintenance in November 2024 to preserve capital and protect 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 140,000 dmt of SC6 each year. MinRes expects existing infrastructure and workforce networks to support a swift and safe restart.
- Late May 2026 — initial site activities increase
- June 2026 — mining and crushing operations expected to start
- July 2026 — spodumene concentrate production anticipated
- Q1 FY27 — first shipment from the Port of Esperance
- Q2 FY27 — full capacity expected
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.
The Mining Services division of MinRes will manage mining-related tasks, aligning with the company’s integrated operating model.
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, adding strategic optionality as Bald Hill returns to production.
Source: Mining Technology (https://www.mining-technology.com/news/minres-restarts-bald-hill-lithium-mine/). Republished for industry awareness.
