Pilbara

WA's newest lithium mine officially opens, with plans to expand already in motion

WA's newest lithium mine officially opens, with plans to expand already in motion

The lithium train shows no sign of slowing in WA as the state's newest mine officially opens, with plans already in motion to expand the Pilbara operation.

The first shipment from Pilbara Minerals’ Pilgangoora lithium-tantalum project left the mine on October 2 but was officially opened by WA Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston on Friday.

Located 120 kilometres south of Port Hedland, the mine will produce 330,000 tonnes of lithium a year and about 300,000 pounds of tantalum.

The Pilgangoora project’s workforce peaked at more than 800 during construction, but now there are about 200 operational staff on-site and in Perth.

Rio Tinto copper find rumours spread as mining giant backs share price with $2.8b off-market buy-back

Rio Tinto copper find rumours spread as mining giant backs share price with $2.8b off-market buy-back

It’s been 12 months since rumours began swirling over Rio Tinto’s (ASX: RIO)alleged copper discovery in Western Australia’s Pilbara, with recent satellite images revealing a hub of activity at the site and sparking a land grab in the area.

Images have surfaced of a camp set up in the region’s Paterson Province, along with drill rigs and other equipment and infrastructure including a helicopter landing pad.