Group 6 Metals Limited (G6M) has announced a $3.5 million critical minerals research collaboration with the University of Tasmania (UTAS).
The project, ‘Environmentally Sustainable Production of Critical Minerals’, is expected to benefit G6M’s tungsten’s assets on King Island, Tasmania. The project will be directed through University of Tasmania’s world-renowned Centre for Ore Deposit and Earth Sciences (CODES) in partnership with regional industry partners.
G6M is one of several companies operating Tasmanian mining projects that will collaborate with the University of Tasmania on this project.
The project is expected to commence towards the end of 2022.
Tungsten is recognised by the Australian and other international governments as one of several critical minerals that will be essential for sustainable economic growth and development in the future.
G6M’s Dolphin Tungsten Mine is host to the highest-grade tungsten deposit of significant size in the western world.
As part of the project, G6M is providing the University of Tasmania with access to its world-class tungsten assets on King Island, including the under-construction Dolphin Mine, the historic Bold Head Mine and its exploration tenements.
University staff will work with G6M’s staff on research projects, with the company to provide in-kind support, logistics, information and access to drill core, mining and processing activities.
G6M commenced construction of its Dolphin Tungsten Mine in Q1 CY2022 and is targeting first tungsten concentrate in Q1 CY2023.
Group 6 Metals Chief Executive Officer, Keith McKnight, said, “Operating the Dolphin Tungsten Mine in an environmentally sustainable way is a key part of our environment, social and governance strategy as we progress toward producing first tungsten concentrate next year.
“This project with the University of Tasmania not only has the potential to support Group 6’s endeavours in this area but may also have a much broader impact for the critical minerals sector in Tasmania.
“We see several potential benefits for Group 6 in this exciting project, including an improvement to our exploration techniques, which may lead to an increase in our resource base across our tungsten assets.”
Mr McKnight said the project will also aim to enhance the recovery of tungsten in the years ahead as G6M are set to become a tungsten producer of global significance on King Island.
“Importantly, the project aligns well with G6M’s vision of maximising the extraction of tungsten metal from the Company’s orebodies and our intention to lead the way with environmentally sensitive downstream processing,” Mr McKnight said.
