Tartana Minerals in Talks for Mungana Processing Plant Agreement
Tartana Minerals Limited is engaged in advanced discussions with Mt Garnet Mineral Finance Pty Ltd (MGMF) regarding a potential agreement to access the Mungana Processing Plant. The agreement would allow Tartana to mine its copper ore and transport it 25 kilometers to the Mungana facility for processing into copper sulphide concentrate. With an annual processing capacity of 600,000 tonnes, the plant has been idle since Aurora Metals entered administration in 2023.
Tartana’s Managing Director, Dr. Stephen Bartrop, expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity, noting that the company has spent the past three years defining its open pit copper and zinc resources and conducting metallurgical test work for potential processing at a conventional flotation plant. He highlighted that while the Mungana plant had faced challenges due to unreliable underground ore supplies, Tartana’s open pit operations could provide a more sustainable production base.
As part of the agreement, Tartana has engaged experienced engineers, including former Mungana managers, to assess the plant’s condition and refurbishment needs. While the primary focus is on processing Tartana’s ore, the company is also exploring the possibility of restarting mining at the nearby King Vol mine, which could be integrated with its Queen Grade zinc deposit. Additional opportunities exist at the Mungana mine, though its ore presents metallurgical challenges.
The agreement would also grant Tartana access to the Mungana tailings dam, which has sufficient capacity for several years, with additional approved cells available. Both parties aim to finalize a Heads of Agreement by 31 March 2025, with Tartana covering 50% of the plant’s care and maintenance costs from 1 February 2025, capped at $100,000 per month.
Despite the promising potential of this arrangement, significant due diligence remains, and there is no guarantee that the agreement will be finalized. If the arrangement does not proceed, Tartana may seek reimbursement for its care and maintenance contributions. The outcome of these negotiations could play a key role in Tartana’s future production strategy and its long-term position in the industry.
