Pacific Nickel Mines provides Kolosori Nickel Project update

The development consent is a key steppingstone towards the granting of a mining lease for the project. With this approval, the company believes that it is on track for the granting of a mining lease early in 2022.

The development consent was approved after a workshop and consultation with the various government departments, stakeholders and landowners to review the environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) prepared by the company. The development consent is subject to a number of standard conditions, with the main condition being the submission of an environmental management plan prior to the commencement of construction of the project.

Pacific Nickel CEO, Geoff Hiller, commented: “Receiving the development consent is a positive endorsement from the government for the development of the Kolosori Project. We are now focused on the granting of the mining lease while we complete the definitive study feasibility. We remain committed to fast tracking the project, which is expected to benefit all stakeholders.”

Kolosori Nickel Project

On 18 November 2021, Pacific Nickel announced the results of an independent scoping study (study) for the development of its 80% owned Kolosori Nickel Project in the Solomon Islands.

Located on Isabel Island, the project is expected to generate strong financial returns while also delivering significant social and economic benefits to the landowners (who hold a 20% carried interest in the project), local communities and the Provincial and Federal governments.

The scoping study was conducted by a group of leading independent consultants from Australia and Indonesia including Resindo and Mining One, overseen by in-house Pacific Nickel personnel who are experienced in mining projects in the region.

Key study parameters

The key parameters of the study were as follows:

• Shallow opencast mining operation.
• No processing or tailings dams required (as it is a direct ship ore).
• Initial haul road from first pit to the port area less than 1 km.
• Stockpile management a key to moisture control and loading direct ship ore (DSO) onto barges.
• Barge ore less than 1 km to 50 000 – 60 000 t geared ships for export.
• Production of 1.3 million wet metric tpy DSO based on port throughput.

Key study assumptions and results

The key assumptions and result inputs of the study were:

• Production target of 6.23 million t at 1.5% nickel (Ni) for 93 450 t of contained nickel.
• Production target contains 43% measured and indicated resources with more than 75% of the production target over the first 2.5 years from measured and indicated resources.
• The shallowness of mining allows flexibility to mine the measured and indicated mineral resource as early as possible where required.
• Ability to mine higher grades in excess of 1.6% Ni early in mine schedule.
• First production targeted in late 2022.
• Capital cost estimate between US$18 million – US$20 million.
• Site operating cost estimate in the range US$15 – US$17/wet metric t.
• Barging costs in the range US$4.– to US$5.50/wet metric t.
• Shipping cost of around US$38/wet metric t.
• Saprolite shipped to China for the RKEF plants for end use in the stainless steel industry.
• Pricing of 1.5% Ni saprolite US$85/wet metric t (CIF China).
• Pricing of 1.6% Ni saprolite US$91/wet metric t (CIF China).
• Capital payback approximately one year.
• Project NPV of US$58.3 million with IRR of 152%.

Definitive feasibility study update

The company is in the process of preparing a definitive feasibility study (DFS) with many of the key infrastructure components already well advanced.

The delivery of the DFS is largely dependent on the timing of the receipt of assay results from the 220 holes. This will form the basis of a revised block model and an updated mineral resource estimate. There remains significant congestion at the Australian assay laboratories and as such the DFS is now expected to be completed as soon as practicable in 1Q22.

Part of the DFS relies on some of the information that will be obtained from the Early Works programme. In particular, the geotechnical assessment of the port area and the test pits. The Early Works programme has commenced with a detailed survey of the initial construction and mining areas. A recent tropical cyclone near the Solomon Islands has delayed barging of the required equipment onto the project site to carry out the test pits and geotechnical works. Subject to the weather, this part of the program will be commenced as soon as possible.

The Early Works programme has been designed to allow the company and its contractors to establish a site base at Kolosori in preparation for the main construction program targeted for the end of the current wet season (May) next year subject to the completion of the DFS, regulatory approvals, and financing.

The scope of the Early Works includes the following:

• Carry out a geotechnical assessment of the proposed wharf site.
• Carry out a number of test pits to assess mining and moisture content.
• Prepare a temporary camp including fuel tanks.
• Carry out a detailed environmental survey within the main project infrastructure areas.
• Assess quarry sites to provide construction materials for wharf and road construction.

The Early Works programme is expected to be completed by the end of February 2022.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/exploration-development/21122021/pacific-nickel-mines-provides-kolosori-nickel-project-update/