Tennant Mines successfully completed the construction of its 840 ktpa CIL gold processing plant at Nobles in April 2025.
2025, with the inaugural gold pour on 13 May 2025. The project was delivered ahead of schedule, having been built in less than 12 months, and within its allocated budget of US$36 million. This facility is the first of its kind to be developed in Tennant Creek in over two decades and is the largest ever constructed in the region, with a capacity more than double that of any historical facility. The construction of the plant was completed using over 160 000-man hours and achieved an exemplary safety record with no lost time injuries, no material security incidents and near-perfect compliance with all safety protocols. This outstanding performance reflects not only the effectiveness of the Company’s policies and procedures but, more importantly, the strong culture and engagement of the Tennant Mines team. As part of the plant’s development, Tennant Mines implemented a pioneering dry stack tailings solution, marking the first time this environmentally conscious method has been used in a gold processing facility in the Northern Territory. Production ramp-up was achieved on schedule with the plant currently producing at steady state. The immediate processing focus is on the 1.25 mt Crown Pillar stockpile, which carries an average grade of 1.48 g/t gold. Open pit mining operations commenced on
schedule in the third quarter of 2025 and are expected to sustain production through to FY29 or FY30. At that point, underground mining is anticipated to contribute around 40% of total ore feed. Once commercial production is achieved, Tennant Mines plans to debottleneck and expand the facility to a 1 mtpa throughput (equivalent to 85 000 t per month). This development, identified since the feasibility study was completed, is forecast to extend the current eight-year mine life by an additional seven years. In early FY25, Tennant Mines received the necessary approvals to construct a 5MW solar plant. The project’s feasibility study is in its final stages, with construction scheduled by early 2026. Once completed, the solar farm is expected to supply a significant portion of the operation’s power needs, replacing diesel- generated power and significantly reducing operating costs and emissions. Over the next 12 months, Tennant Mines is forecast to produce approximately 50 000 oz of gold, with an expected average annual output of 65 000 oz over the eight-year project life. Other advanced projects include the Warrego copper and gold project, where a prefeasibility study was completed. Work on the definitive feasibility study is now underway, with completion expected by mid-2026. n
DECEMBER 2025 - JANUARY 2026 | www.modernminingmagazine.co.za MODERN MINING 41
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