Mineral Resources (MinRes) is bringing the Bald Hill lithium mine in Western Australia back into production. The company said the decision follows a strong and sustained recovery in lithium prices after a prolonged downturn. MinRes linked the restart to improved market conditions for battery mineral producers.
The company also cited demand for raw materials used in electric vehicles, energy storage systems and the broader clean energy transition. MinRes said it has been planning for a safe, efficient and cost-effective return to operations at the site.
Care-and-maintenance period ends for Bald Hill
MinRes suspended operations at Bald Hill in November 2024, placing the asset on care and maintenance as lithium prices weakened. The suspension was intended to preserve capital while protecting the long-term value of the project’s mineral resource. MinRes said Bald Hill hosts a 58.1-million-tonne resource with an average grade of 0.9% lithium oxide (Li₂O).
With lithium prices now showing sustained strength, MinRes said the market environment supports a return to full-scale operations. The restart is positioned as a milestone for both MinRes and Australia’s lithium sector.
Bald Hill hard-rock project details
Bald Hill is located about 50 kilometers southeast of Kambalda in Western Australia’s Goldfields region. MinRes described it as one of Australia’s important hard-rock lithium projects. The operation has capacity to produce approximately 165,000 dry metric tonnes per year of 5.1% spodumene concentrate.
MinRes said this is equivalent to roughly 140,000 tonnes of SC6 spodumene concentrate annually. The company noted that spodumene concentrate is used in producing battery-grade lithium chemicals, supporting electric vehicle and battery supply chains.
Restart schedule for 2026 and early FY27 exports
MinRes outlined a timeline for restarting operations at Bald Hill. Site activity is expected to accelerate in late May, with mining and crushing scheduled to begin during June. The company targeted first production of spodumene concentrate in July.
Initial exports are expected to be shipped through the Port of Esperance during the first quarter of the 2027 financial year. MinRes said full production capacity is projected to be reached in the second quarter of FY27. The company said existing infrastructure and operational readiness are expected to support an efficient restart.
MinRes plans to use existing inventory, internally available mining equipment and its established workforce network during the transition back to production. It said these factors are intended to help manage the ramp-up from care and maintenance.
Vertically integrated model covers mining through haulage
A key element of MinRes’ approach is its vertically integrated operating model for Bald Hill. The company’s Mining Services division will oversee major activities including mining, crushing, processing and haulage. MinRes described this build-own-operate approach as enabling greater control over costs, operational performance and execution.
The company said this structure can be particularly relevant during periods when operational flexibility becomes important as markets recover. Industry analysts cited by MinRes view the integrated setup as a competitive advantage compared with reliance on external contractors.
Western Australia employment impact from Bald Hill restart
MinRes estimated that restarting Bald Hill will support approximately 370 jobs in Western Australia. Around 110 positions are expected to be filled initially through redeployment of workers from other MinRes projects. Those vacancies are then expected to be backfilled across the broader business.
The company also said increased demand for services, transportation, maintenance and supporting industries is expected to generate additional benefits for local communities. MinRes linked the restart to reinforcing Western Australia’s role as a leading supplier of lithium.
MinRes expects expanded global hard-rock footprint
Chris Ellison, Managing Director of MinRes, said recovery in spodumene demand and pricing created conditions for restarting Bald Hill. He attributed the decision to combining a production-ready asset with internal operational capabilities aimed at capitalizing on improving market conditions.
MinRes said resuming full production would strengthen its position in the international lithium sector. Once Bald Hill reaches full output, MinRes expects it will operate three hard-rock lithium mines worldwide, each supported by its own spodumene concentrate processing facility.
Lithium demand drivers cited by MinRes
MinRes said its restart decision aligns with broader trends across the global lithium industry. It pointed to demand driven by expansion in electric vehicle manufacturing, renewable energy storage projects and advanced battery technologies.
The company noted governments and automakers investing billions into electrification strategies, increasing requirements for stable supplies of lithium and other critical minerals. It also said Australia remains a major source of spodumene concentrate used in downstream battery production.
