The first discovery of tin in the Renison Bell area of western Tasmania was made in 1890, with mining having been continuous from this time. Mining of the sulphide ore was limited by poor recoveries until the development of the sulphide flotation process in the 1930s. Mining remained a marginal proposition until a major four-year development program in the late 1950s developed one of the largest underground tin mines in the world.
A $38 million development program was undertaken during the 1990s to access the deeper `Rendeep' ore bodies to the north of the mine. The project involved the mining of a 582 metre deep internal shaft, the provision of associated underground crusher and conveyor systems for transporting ore to the surface, and the extension of the North Renison Decline at depth to access the high-grade Rendeep ore bodies. The project was expected to extend mine life to at least 2007, but low tin prices resulted in the mine being closed in June 2003.
The mine was sold to Bluestone Mines Tasmania P/L, with production recommencing in February 2005. Production for 2005/2006 totalled 111 800 tonnes of ore grading 1.31% Sn, with 908 tonnes of tin in concentrates being produced. Low tin prices resulted in operations being suspended in October 2005 but it is expected that mining at Renison will recommence in 2008/2009. The company has recently recommenced mining at Mt Bischoff to provide ore feed for the Renison tin concentrator.
The total measured, indicated and inferred resource at Renison is 25.05 million tonnes grading 0.75% Sn and 1.377 million tonnes grading 0.44% Cu.
