Tabba tabba

The Tabba Tabba Tantalite Project, located 75 kilometres east of Port Hedland in Western Australia, could begin production by September, 2015, if the mine's final proposal and closure plan receives approval from the Western Australian Department of Mines and Petroleum. Once in production the new mine is expected to produce more than 350,000 pounds of tantalum pentoxide (Ta205) over a period of around 18 to19 months. The tantalum mined at the Tabba Tabba open pit will be used in the production of capacitors for tablets and mobile phones.

Tabba Tabba Mine to be Developed as a Joint Venture Operation

The Tabba Tabba Tantalite Project is to be developed as a 50/50 joint venture between leading metallurgical and process engineering company, Nagrom Pty Ltd, and Pilbara Minerals Limited, under an exclusive mining and offtake agreement with GAM (Global Advanced Metals (Wodgina) Pty Ltd). Analytical chemist, Rick Murphy acquired Nagrom in mid 1978 and developed the company by specialising in beneficiation processes along with toll treatment of mineral concentrates. In 2007 the core business of Nagrom was metallurgical testing, analysis and fabrication. He incorporated the company in 2013, specifically to develop the tantalite deposit at Tabba Tabba. GAM is one of only two buyers of tantalum in the world. The other buyer of the mineral being HC Stark. The Tabba Tabba mine, when operational, will supply about seven percent of the world's tantalum requirements.

Tabba Tabba Mine will Make Pilbara Minerals Australia's Latest Junior Mining Company

Nagrom Pty Ltd completed the Tabba Tabba mine Feasibility Study into the project's metallurgical process, design and other infrastructure needs. Resource investigation was carried out by Mitchell River Group. Life of Mine reserve and planning work was completed by Croeser Pty Ltd with Dempers and Seymour completing the geotechnical work. The Feasibility Study undertaken regarding the more advanced Tabba Tabba Tantalum Project was completed by Pilbara Minerals Limited. This study showed the project as a having a robust viability because of the low mining and capital costs required. The Feasibility Studies have demonstrated that by developing the Tabba Tabba mine, Pilbara Minerals will be on the way to becoming one of Australia's latest junior mining companies.

Initial Exploration Began at Tabba Tabba in 1989

Initial exploration resource estimates were carried out at the Tabba Tabba project site from 1989 through to 1992 by another joint venture comprising Goldrim Mining Australia Limited and Pancontinental Mining Limited. This activity resulted in a Feasibility Study reporting the most viable option would have been to transport the ore to the nearby Wodgina tantalite mine that was operating in the area at that time. The Wodgina plant trial treated 2,000 tonnes of Tabba Tabba tantalum during this period.

Tabba Tabba Mine on the Verge of Production

The joint venture partners have now completed all necessary surveying, as well as having marked out areas to best place the required infrastructure, including the placement of the tailings dam and processing plant. A water licence is still needed as well as government approvals of the mining and closure plans, before actual construction can take place, however, it is not expected these final approvals will meet with any problems. Once operational, the tantalum concentrate will be transported from the site in bags, by truck.