Name of the Project
Pioneer Dome lithium project. 

Location
South of Kalgoorlie, in Western Australia.

Project Owner/s
Develop Global.

Project Description
An updated scoping study has shown that the project will generate stronag financial returns based on a 1.2-million-tonne-a-year processing facility. The concentrator process plant design is a hybrid dense-medium separation and flotation flowsheet. This will provide flexibility to treat a range of ore types and will maximise recovery and quality.

The mine plan shows that Pioneer Dome will produce steady-state average production of 200 000 t/y of spodumene concentrate at 6% (SC6) over a seven-year life-of-mine (LoM), with an LoM payable of 1.13-million tonnes of spodumene.

The assumed mining method for the deposit is a mixture of openpit and underground methods. 

Conventional openpit mining methods using two 125-t-class excavators, matched with 90 t trucks, will be used. It is assumed that all material will require blasting. 

The proposed underground mines have been optimised, designed and scheduled to enable mining using standard high-capacity mobile underground mining equipment. Each orebody is accessed through a decline developed from the openpit excavations. The ventilation and escapeway accesses are also mined from existing openpit voids to reduce development metres planned in oxidised material. The mining method, which forms the basis of the work, is longhole open stoping. Stope stability will be maintained with mixture of rock fill and paste fill.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
At $2 000/t for SC6, the scoping study where Develop builds its own plant shows a pretax net present value, at an 8% discount rate, of A$1-billion across a seven-year mine life while producing 200 000 t/y SC6 if develop builds its own plant.

Capital Expenditure
A$35-million to A$40-million if the company build its own plant.

Planned Start/End Date
The project is fully permitted and would take less than six months to deliver first direct shipping ore (DSO).

Latest Developments
Develop has reported a significant increase in the spodumene price, to about $2 500/t SC6, in its results for the quarter ended December 31, 2025.

The company contends that the re-emergence of the DSO market has created an “outstanding” financial opportunity at the project. 

In response to the escalating lithium pricing, the company has restarted commercial discussions regarding potential mine gate sales, toll treatment options and/or the construction of its own processing plant for the 8.1-million-tonne 1.2% lithium production target.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Develop Global, tel +61 8 6389 7400 or email hello@develop.com.au.