Ballard Secures 2.0 Mtpa Processing Plant Approval for Mt Ida Gold Project
Ballard Mining has achieved a critical milestone with full permitting for its Mt Ida Gold Project, including approval to build a 2.0 million tonnes per annum processing plant and tailings facility. This final green light positions the project for development and potential expansion.
- Works Approval granted for 2.0 Mtpa processing plant and tailings storage facility
- Mining Proposal and Mine Closure Plan approved for open pit and underground mining
- Water abstraction licence granted with application to increase from 1.2 to 3.7 GL/year
- JORC-compliant resource of 10.3 million tonnes at 3.3 g/t gold for 1.1 million ounces
- Aggressive exploration program underway to expand resource and refine project scale
Final Permitting Clears Path for Mt Ida Development
Ballard Mining Limited (ASX, BM1) has announced receipt of the crucial Works Approval needed to construct a processing plant and tailings storage facility at its Mt Ida Gold Project in Western Australia’s Goldfields region. This approval marks the last major regulatory hurdle, enabling the company to move forward with mining and processing operations at an annual throughput of up to 2.0 million tonnes.
The Works Approval, administered by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation, covers a standard three-stage crushing and grinding process followed by gravity and carbon-in-leach gold recovery methods. The tailings storage facility will utilize an Integrated Waste Landform design, combining tailings and waste rock to minimize environmental footprint.
Comprehensive Approvals and Resource Base
Beyond the Works Approval, Ballard has secured approvals for its Mining Proposal and Mine Closure Plan, covering both open pit and underground mining at the Baldock deposit, which forms the core of the Mt Ida project. The company also holds a Native Vegetation Clearing Permit and a Water Abstraction Licence, with an application underway to increase water rights from 1.2 to 3.7 gigalitres per year, enough to support potential plant expansion.
The Mt Ida Project boasts a JORC 2012-compliant Mineral Resource Estimate of 10.3 million tonnes grading 3.3 grams per tonne gold, equating to approximately 1.1 million ounces. The Baldock deposit alone contains 930,000 ounces at a higher grade of 4.1 g/t, underscoring the project’s quality. Ballard is actively drilling along a 26-kilometre strike targeting extensions and new zones, aiming to grow the resource base and enhance project economics.
Strategic Positioning and Future Outlook
Managing Director Paul Brennan highlighted the significance of the permitting milestone, noting it de-risks the project and differentiates Ballard from peers still navigating regulatory processes. He emphasized the company’s commitment to scaling Mt Ida into a standalone operation, with flexibility to adjust processing capacity as exploration results clarify the deposit’s ultimate size.
Ballard’s proactive approach to securing approvals ahead of final resource definition reflects a strategic understanding of the lengthy regulatory timelines. The company’s ongoing efforts to increase water allocation and refine processing plans indicate readiness to adapt and expand as warranted.
With a strong balance sheet and a seasoned management team, Ballard is well positioned to advance Mt Ida towards production. The combination of robust resource fundamentals, comprehensive permitting, and aggressive exploration sets the stage for a potentially transformative development in the Western Australian gold sector.
Bottom Line?
With full permits in hand, Ballard Mining is poised to unlock Mt Ida’s potential, but exploration results and water licence approval will shape the next phase.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the water abstraction increase to 3.7 GL/year be approved to support plant expansion?
- How will ongoing exploration impact the scale and economics of the Mt Ida Project?
- What timeline is Ballard targeting for first production following these approvals?