Global recommences Tantalum Ore processing at Wodgina

Global Advanced Metals on Thursday announced that the Wodgina tagold machines on auction used machinesntalum operation in Western Australia has begun processing ore for the first time since it was put on care and maintenance during the Global Financial Crisis (GFC).

Chief Executive Officer, Bryan Ellis said that the company was surprised at the level of enquiries it was receiving from across the supply chain, particularly from end users in the electronics and aerospace industries. Mr Ellis said that Global Advanced Metals’ immediate focus was on moving the Wodgina mine and Greenbushes processing plant from care and maintenance into production. Global Advanced Metals continues to believe that the recent improvements in tantalum pricing are sustainable into the future because of the strength in demand and the success of the global campaign to remove ‘conflict mined’ material from the supply chain.

The successful recommencement of processing means that Global remains on track to provide its first new tantalum pentoxide production into the global supply chain in late June/early July this year. The company said while it ramps up operations at Wodgina and its Greenbushes processing plant, it is continuing to release amounts of existing tantalum pentoxide from a pre-GFC strategic stockpile into the supply chain to assist key industries.

Tantalum is a key ingredient in the electronics and aerospace industries and the rapidly growing demand for the material reflects worldwide improvements in consumer and business confidence as a number of economies experience strong growth trends for the first time in several years.