Mineral Resources (MinRes) is bringing its Bald Hill lithium mine in Western Australia back into production, signaling renewed confidence in the global lithium market after a prolonged downturn. The decision follows a strong and sustained recovery in lithium prices, which has improved market conditions and strengthened the outlook for battery mineral producers worldwide.
The restart marks a significant milestone for both MinRes and Australia’s lithium sector, highlighting the growing demand for raw materials essential to electric vehicles (EVs), energy storage systems, and the broader clean energy transition.
Lithium Price Recovery Sparks Mine Restart
According to MinRes, the decision to resume operations at Bald Hill comes after months of strategic planning designed to ensure a safe, efficient, and cost-effective return to production. The company suspended operations at the mine in November 2024, placing the asset on care and maintenance as lithium prices weakened. The move was intended to preserve capital while protecting the long-term value of Bald Hill’s substantial 58.1-million-tonne mineral resource, which contains an average grade of 0.9% lithium oxide (Li₂O). With lithium prices now showing sustained strength, MinRes believes the market environment supports a return to full-scale operations.
Bald Hill Positioned as a Key Australian Lithium Asset
Located approximately 50 kilometers southeast of Kambalda in Western Australia’s renowned Goldfields region, Bald Hill is one of the country’s important hard-rock lithium projects. The operation has the capacity to produce approximately 165,000 dry metric tonnes per year of 5.1% spodumene concentrate, equivalent to roughly 140,000 tonnes of SC6 spodumene concentrate annually.
Spodumene concentrate remains one of the most important raw materials used in the production of battery-grade lithium chemicals, making mines such as Bald Hill strategically significant within global electric vehicle and battery supply chains. As demand for lithium continues to expand, production-ready assets like Bald Hill are increasingly valuable to manufacturers seeking secure and reliable sources of battery minerals.
Production Ramp-Up Scheduled for 2026
MinRes has outlined a clear timeline for restarting operations. Site activity is expected to accelerate in late May, with mining and crushing operations scheduled to begin during June. The company is targeting the 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, while full production capacity is projected to be reached in the second quarter of FY27.
Because the site already possesses existing infrastructure and operational readiness, MinRes expects the restart process to proceed efficiently. The company plans to utilize existing inventory, internally available mining equipment, and its established workforce network to support the transition back to production.
Integrated Mining Model Supports Fast Recovery
A key advantage for MinRes is its vertically integrated operating model. The company’s Mining Services division will oversee all major operational activities at Bald Hill, including mining, crushing, processing, and haulage. This build-own-operate approach allows MinRes to maintain greater control over costs, operational performance, and project execution compared with companies that rely heavily on external contractors. Industry analysts view this integrated structure as a significant competitive advantage, particularly during periods of rapid market recovery when operational flexibility becomes critical.
Hundreds of New Jobs to Be Created
The restart of Bald Hill is expected to deliver a major boost to employment in Western Australia.
MinRes estimates that approximately 370 jobs will be supported by the operation. Around 110 positions will initially be filled through the redeployment of workers from other MinRes projects, with those vacancies subsequently backfilled across the broader business.
The move is expected to generate additional economic benefits for local communities through increased demand for services, transportation, maintenance, and supporting industries linked to mining activity. The return of production at Bald Hill also reinforces Western Australia’s position as one of the world’s leading suppliers of lithium, a critical mineral at the center of the global energy transition.
MinRes Strengthens Position in the Global Lithium Industry
Managing Director Chris Ellison said the recovery in spodumene demand and pricing created the right conditions for restarting the mine. According to Ellison, the combination of a high-quality, production-ready asset and MinRes’ internal operational capabilities allows the company to quickly capitalize on improving market conditions and rising demand for battery materials.
The restart also strengthens MinRes’ standing within the international lithium sector.
Once Bald Hill resumes full production, MinRes expects to become the only company in the world operating three hard-rock lithium mines, each supported by its own spodumene concentrate processing facility. This unique position could provide the company with significant leverage as global competition intensifies for reliable sources of battery minerals.
Global Lithium Demand Continues to Accelerate
The decision to restart Bald Hill reflects broader trends across the global lithium industry. Demand for lithium continues to be driven by the rapid expansion of electric vehicle manufacturing, renewable energy storage projects, and advanced battery technologies. Governments and automakers worldwide are investing billions of dollars in electrification strategies, increasing the need for stable supplies of lithium and other critical minerals.
Australia remains one of the world’s most important lithium-producing nations, supplying a significant share of global spodumene concentrate used in downstream battery production. As battery demand rises and market fundamentals improve, mining companies are increasingly reactivating projects that were temporarily suspended during the recent lithium price downturn.
Bald Hill Returns as Battery Minerals Market Rebounds
The reopening of the Bald Hill lithium mine signals renewed optimism across the battery materials sector and underscores the strategic importance of Western Australia’s mineral resources.
With lithium prices recovering, production scheduled to restart in the coming months, and hundreds of jobs set to be created, MinRes is positioning itself to benefit from the next phase of growth in the global battery supply chain.
As the world accelerates toward electrification and cleaner energy systems, assets such as Bald Hill are expected to play an increasingly important role in meeting the growing demand for lithium, reinforcing Australia’s status as a leading force in the global critical minerals industry.
