SRT Mining Group today announced that the SRT Group Board has approved the A$520 million Stage 5 expansion of the Turner River Copper-Gold Complex, the company's flagship operation located 62 kilometres southeast of Port Hedland in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
The Stage 5 project will increase nameplate processing capacity from the current 5.2 million tonnes per annum to 9.0 million tonnes per annum — a 73% increase — through the addition of a second SAG and ball mill grinding circuit, expanded flotation capacity, and a new pressure filtration and load-out facility. Construction has commenced, with first ore through the new circuit targeted for the third quarter of FY2027.
Project scope
The Stage 5 expansion has been designed by the same engineering team that delivered the Stages 3 and 4 expansions in 2019. The project includes a new 14MW SAG mill and two 8MW ball mills in a parallel grinding circuit to the existing facility, six additional rougher flotation cells, and a new 600 tph pressure filter replacing the existing thickener and vacuum filtration system. The new filtration circuit will produce concentrate below 8% moisture — improving haulage efficiency and reducing concentrate loss during transport.
The project also includes a 120MWh battery energy storage system to support the expanded Turner River Solar Microgrid, which forms part of the company's commitment to Scope 1 and 2 net-zero by 2034.
"Stage 5 is not just a capacity expansion — it is a signal about what we believe is possible at Turner River. We have consistently exceeded the production targets of every previous expansion stage within 18 months of commissioning. We expect Stage 5 to be no different."
Atulya Chaturvedi, Managing Director & CEO
Resource base and mine life
The Turner River ore reserve stands at 148 million tonnes at 2.1% CuEq (JORC 2012, December 2025), supporting a resource life extending beyond 2050 at the current processing rate. At 9.0Mtpa, the proven ore reserve supports continued operations through at least 2040, with the full mineral resource base — 312Mt at 1.8% CuEq — providing a substantial additional inventory subject to conversion through ongoing drilling.
The Boodarie North target, located 18 kilometres north of the Turner River pits within the company's existing tenement package, represents a further potential source of mill feed. A maiden JORC mineral resource estimate at Boodarie North is expected in Q4 FY2026.
Construction and commissioning
Bulk earthworks for the Stage 5 circuit commenced in May 2026. The main construction contract has been awarded to a Pilbara-based civil and structural contractor, with equipment supply contracts in place for the SAG mill, ball mills, and filtration system. The project will employ approximately 340 construction personnel at peak, with a commitment to achieve at least 20% First Nations employment in the direct workforce.