The Tasmanian Government announced the re-purposing of a grant to Group 6 Metals to support infrastructure upgrades on the Dolphin Tungsten Mine.
According to the State Government, the repurposed grant was previously awarded to Hydro Tasmania.
Group 6 will now receive a $1.64 million grant to aid with the costs of constructing the necessary energy infrastructure to reopen the Dolphin Tungsten Mine in Grassy, King Island.
“As part of establishing this energy solution, the company has committed to developing renewable energy solutions to support the Dolphin Mine’s future operations,” Minister for Energy and Renewables Guy Barnett said.
Minister Barnett stated that Group 6 had finished a concept study for the renewable energy project, which is expected to be completed in early 2025.
“When implemented this new energy solution will provide over $8 million in further investment into the mine, supporting the local community and economy on King Island,” Minister Barnett added.
Minister Barnett applauded Group 6’s decision to commit to plans that will extensively use renewable energy, aligned with the State Government’s renewable energy ambitions.
Minister for Resources Felix Ellis congratulated the company on the progress made at the Dolphin Tungsten Mine to date and their commitment to exploring more environmentally friendly energy solutions to support the mine.
“The Dolphin tungsten project is already seeing significant success since being revived with the support of a $10 million Tasmanian Government commercial loan to the company,” Minister Ellis said.
According to Minister Ellis, the processing plant on King Island is nearly finished and on target to be operational in April 2023, generating critical minerals for defence manufacturing and supporting around 75 full-time local jobs.
Ministers Barnett and Ellis stated that the initiative would help revitalise the King Island economy and reduce the island’s reliance on diesel fuel.
