MCF Mining Approvals IndexData as at 18 October 2026 · from Western Australian Government registers and open data
Western Australian mining lease
M 04/459 · Thunderbird - Kimberley Mineral Sands
M 04/459 is a Western Australian mining lease held by THUNDERBIRD OPERATIONS PTY LTD (Kimberley Mineral Sands JV (Sheffield Resources 50%, Yansteel 50%) group). Granted 25 September 2018, expires 24 September 2039. 4,524 ha in the West Kimberley Mineral Field. Commodities: Heavy mineral sands, Zircon, Ilmenite, Rutile. Part of the Thunderbird - Kimberley Mineral Sands project (operating).
- Type
- Mining lease
- Status
- Granted
- Parent group
- Kimberley Mineral Sands JV (Sheffield Resources 50%, Yansteel 50%) (a joint venture)
- MINEDEX project
- Thunderbird - Kimberley Mineral Sands J04280 · OperatingOwners: Sheffield Resources Ltd 50%; Ygh Australia Investment Pty Ltd 50%; Thunderbird Operations Pty Ltd 0%; Kimberley Mineral Sands Pty Ltd
- Lodged
- 12 July 2014
- Granted
- 25 September 2018
- Expires
- 24 September 2039
- Area
- 4,523.90 hectares (45.2 km²)
- Mineral field
- West Kimberley Mineral Field
- Commodities
- Heavy mineral sands, Zircon, Ilmenite, Rutile
- Rehabilitation liability
- Its rehabilitation liability is in the MCF Mining Index (subscribers): the Mining Rehabilitation Fund estimate, its trend since 2014, company provisions and closure-plan costs
- Mine closure plan
- Thunderbird Minerals Sands Project - Construction and Mining (Years 1-3): approved 13 September 2019, Thunderbird Minerals Sands Project - Mining Proposal - Construction and Mining (Years 1-3)
- Environmental registrations
- 3 mining proposal and closure plan registrations (MINEDEX)
- EPA Ministerial Statements
- MS 1080
- EPA referred proposals
- Thunderbird Mineral Sands Project Approved (Ministerial Statement), MS 1080; overlaps 4,295 ha
- WAMEX data
- 859 open-file drill holes, 22 exploration reports on this ground
- Location
- -17.44135, 122.9614 (centre)
Mining proposals and mine closure plans
| Date | Registration | Title | Status | Document (GeoDocs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 July 2024 | Mining Proposal | Thunderbird Mineral Sands Project Mining Proposal Revision 5, Version 1 | Approved | MP_126705.pdf |
| 1 June 2023 | Mining Proposal | Thunderbird Mineral Sands Project Mining Proposal - Revision 4, Version 1 | Approved | MP_114659.pdf |
| 13 September 2019 | Mining Proposal With Mine Closure Plan | Thunderbird Minerals Sands Project - Mining Proposal - Construction and Mining (Years 1-3) | Approved | MP_76994.pdf MCP_76994.pdf |
Registrations from MINEDEX (DMPE); the documents are the operators' own, linked on GeoDocs and not copied.