Barnes Hill was mined as one of the earliest mines in Australia. The iron-rich surface rocks at the northern Scotts Hill and Mt Vulcan deposits were mined for the production of iron in the 1870's. Nickel ore was discovered in 1929, with further exploration undertaken from 1956. A chromite mine was operated at Barnes Hill from 1977-1981, leaving the nickel-cobalt zone of the main resource exposed at surface.

Extensive exploration has been undertaken with JORC-compliant resources now defined for the Barnes Hill north, Barnes Hill south. Scotts Hill and Mt Vulcan deposits. The total resources currently sits at 14.3mt at 0.73% Ni and 0.05% Co (Indicated and Inferred). In addition the mineralisation has been the subject of over 160 metallurgical tests including pilot testing of bulk samples.

The project has previously been the subject of positive feasibility studies. This work is being adapted to the innovative technical approach Tasmania Energy Metals has developed over the last 5 years. In addition to updated resource estimation and metallurgical testwork, several rounds of environmental studies for mining have also already been completed. First-class ESG is a cornerstone of everything we do.

The Barnes Hill project is now at the Pre-feasibility stage under the new flowsheet, with an advanced scoping study completed and pilot scale testwork planned.