Next chapter begins at Mt Marion

Mineral Resources (ASX: MIN) has begun preliminary development works to support future underground mining at the Mt Marion lithium operation in WA.

A contract has been awarded to specialist underground development contractor Develop Global (ASX: DVP) for the establishment of an exploration decline at Mt Marion.

Work includes the establishment of surface facilities supporting underground mining activities, installation of underground mine infrastructure, excavating underground capital development and exploration drill platforms, and obtaining geological and operational data for future mining work.

Located around 40km southwest of Kalgoorlie, Mt Marion is jointly owned by Mineral Resources and one of the world’s largest lithium hydroxide producers, Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium Co.

In Q2 FY24, a diamond drilling program significantly increased the confidence in the underground resource of the North Pit.

Drilling confirmed that the North Pit underground ore body dips vertically with a strike of 500m and thickness between 30m to 60m. Additionally, pegmatites were intercepted around 1.2km below surface.

The mineral resource at Mt Marion recently doubled to 19.3mt with a full underground study targeted for completion by mid-2024.

Mineral Resources chief executive lithium Joshua Thurlow says the start of preliminary work marks an exciting new chapter for Mt Marion.

“Recent underground exploration success has confirmed that we’ve barely scratched the surface of this mine’s potential,” he said.

“Having now doubled the underground mineral resource, we’re pushing ahead with building the necessary infrastructure and technical expertise to transition Mt Marion into an open pit and underground mining operation.”