Nickel

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Un prospect de Nickel et Cuivre en Norvége : Ertelien Nickel Project

Kuniko Hits Massive Sulphide Mineralization at Ertelien Nickel Project

byColin Sandell-Hay, Contributor - The Assay 5 months ago

Kuniko’s maiden drill hole at Ertelien Nickel Project in Norway has intersected observed massive sulphide mineralization.

The company has also had success with a programme reviewing assay results of historical drill core confirm high grades of nickel, copper and cobalt over 28.1m @1.34% nickel, 1.19% copper, 0.07% cobalt.

“We are delighted that our maiden drill hole at Ertelien has delivered a great result, returning several intersections of observable massive sulphides,” CEO, Antony Beckmand, said.

“This, combined with the high-grade assay results from the historic drill core demonstrates this project and the Ringerike area is, as expected, highly prospective for further development.
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https://www.theassay.com/news/kuniko-hi ... l-project/

et cette boite intéresse Stellantis qui monte au capital :

Stellantis Signs Offtake Terms and Invests in Kuniko for Supply of Norwegian, Low Carbon Nickel and Cobalt Sulphate

By NS Energy Staff Writer 30 Jun 2023

Stellantis building a well-structured and sustainable European battery materials cluster to meet Dare Forward 2030 electrification targets

Stellantis N.V. and Kuniko Ltd (ASX: KNI, Kuniko) today announced the signing of a binding offtake term sheet agreement securing a 35% future production offtake of nickel sulphate and cobalt sulphate from Kuniko’s Norwegian exploration projects for a term of nine years.

In addition, Stellantis agreed to purchase €5.0 million (A$ 8 million) in new equity in Kuniko, giving it a 19.99% shareholding on completion and rights to nominate one director to the Kuniko board.

“We are on an aggressive path to securing a holistic portfolio of raw materials needed to meet our Dare Forward 2030 electrification targets,” said Stellantis Chief Purchasing and Supply Chain Officer Maxime Picat. “With Kuniko, we are adding another lever to support our European battery needs with a local and environmentally conscious solution from its Norwegian projects.”

“This strategic partnership with Stellantis promotes sustainable European battery value chain solutions and validates the potential of our battery metals project portfolio in Norway,” said Antony Beckmand, Kuniko CEO. “Together with Stellantis, we eagerly anticipate working hand in hand to achieve exploration success, move towards production, and make meaningful contributions to the growth and advancement of the European battery industry.”

Funds from the equity purchase will be applied to advance Kuniko’s brownfield and greenfield battery metals exploration projects in Norway which include nickel, cobalt and copper.
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https://www.nsenergybusiness.com/news/s ... -sulphate/

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suite de ce post du 22 avril 2023 http://www.oleocene.org/phpBB3/viewtopi ... 2#p2367902

Tanzanie : le propriétaire du projet de nickel Kabanga s’introduit à la bourse de New York

Agence Ecofin 7 juillet 2023

En Tanzanie, la première usine de production de nickel de qualité batterie commencera par approvisionner le marché international d’ici 2026. Elle sera alimentée en minerai par le projet Kabanga, piloté par Lifezone Metals qui vient de franchir une étape importante.

Lifezone Metals, compagnie active en Tanzanie sur le projet de nickel Kabanga, a fait son entrée sur le New York Stock Exchange. L’entreprise née de la fusion entre Lifezone Holdings et GoGreen Investments a annoncé cette introduction en bourse le jeudi 6 juillet.

Selon les détails publiés, l’entrée en bourse fait suite comme prévu à la conclusion de la fusion, censée créer une entreprise valorisée à environ 1 milliard de dollars avec 361 millions de dollars de trésorerie. L’opération a permis de réaliser des gains financiers, avec notamment un produit brut de 86,6 millions de dollars.

Cette somme s’ajoutera à l’investissement de 90 millions de dollars annoncé par BHP Billiton dans le projet Kabanga, et à un investissement supplémentaire de 10 millions de dollars dans Lifezone. « Nous sommes enthousiastes à l’idée de poursuivre notre mission qui consiste à créer de la valeur à long terme pour nos actionnaires sur les marchés publics, en respectant les étapes que nous nous sommes fixées pour amener notre projet phare de Kabanga à la commercialisation […] », a commenté le CEO de la société, Chris Showalter.

Pour rappel, Kabanga sera à l’origine de la première usine de production de nickel de qualité batterie en Tanzanie, un projet qui sera développé par Lifezone avec le soutien du gouvernement local. Les premières tonnes arriveront sur le marché international dès 2026, selon les propos tenus par la vice-présidente des États-Unis, Kamala Harris, au cours de sa visite dans le pays en mars dernier.

https://www.agenceecofin.com/nickel/070 ... e-new-york

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suite de ce post du 30 avril 2023 viewtopic.php?p=2368415#p2368415

la mine de Nickel de Araguaia reçoit son permis environemental.
L'extraction et la constitution de piles de minerai vont êtres constituées pour préparer les phases suivantes.

Horizonte Minerals secures mining approval for Araguaia nickel project

By NS Energy Staff Writer 07 Jul 2023

The permit for the Brazilian nickel project has been granted by the Pará State Secretariat for Environment and Sustainability and it will allow the company to start its mining operations


UK-based Horizonte Minerals has received the mining approval permit, Autoriza o comissionamento da atividade de Extração Mineral, for its fully owned Araguaia nickel project in Brazil.

The permit for the Brazilian nickel project has been granted by the Pará State Secretariat for Environment and Sustainability (SEMAS).

Horizonte Minerals said the mining approval will allow the company to start mining operations at the Araguaia project.

Initial work is undergoing to establish ore stockpiles on the run-of-mine (ROM) pad before the commissioning phase.

The mining approval will also enable the nickel development company to mine, stockpile, and categorise ore.

It will help Horizonte Minerals to maximise the consistency of the feedstock, a process needed to mitigate risk during commissioning, which is a crucial part of the mine-to-mill strategy.

The company aims to establish stockpiles over the next six months, with sufficient ore to feed the plant for the subsequent six months.

Horizonte Minerals CEO Jeremy Martin said: “The approval allows ore to be mined and stockpiled with the aim of mitigating a key commissioning risk as part of our mine-to-mill strategy ahead of the plant start-up next year.

“The Horizonte team continues to work closely with SEMAS and other local stakeholders, towards delivering long-term sustainable value for all involved in this new tier 1 nickel project.”

Located south of the Carajás Mining District in the Pará State, north Brazil, the Araguaia nickel project is expected to produce the first metal in Q1 2024.

The Pequizeiro pit, located 750m from the plant site, will be the main source of ore for the Araguaia project.

It will deliver ore during the first two years of the nickel project’s mine life and contribute to more than 50% of the mine production for the first 10 years.

In April this year, Horizonte Minerals said that the construction of Line 1 of the Araguaia nickel project continues to be on budget and on schedule to enable the start of production in Q1 2024.

https://www.nsenergybusiness.com/news/h ... l-project/

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suite de ce post du 27 mars 2022 viewtopic.php?p=2340219#p2340219

Ardea Resources signs MoU with Japanese companies for $2bn nickel project
The KNP-Goongarrie Hub has the potential to produce 30,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) of nickel and 2,000tpa of cobalt.

July 6, 2023

Ardea Resources has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a Japanese consortium to develop the $2bn Kalgoorlie Nickel Project (KNP)-Goongarrie Hub in Western Australia.

The consortium comprises Mitsubishi Corporation, Sumitomo Metal Mining and Mitsui & Co.

The non-binding MoU provides a framework to negotiate a binding agreement between the consortium and Ardea to complete the definitive feasibility study for the KNP-Goongarrie Hub.

The agreement also has provisions for the two parties to make a final investment decision and jointly secure funding for the project development.

Ardea Resources managing director and CEO Andrew Penkethman said: “The Ardea team will be working with well-regarded and experienced partners who recognise the global significance of the Kalgoorlie Nickel Project to the renewable energy supply chain and see the development advantages derived from our location within the best resources operating jurisdiction in the world.

“Japan has been integral to the development of Australia’s iron ore, natural gas and coal sectors for the benefit of both nations.

“We look forward to Ardea and the KNP Goongarrie Hub joining the successful Australia and Japan project development model and welcome the contribution of the consortium in developing Ardea’s battery and critical minerals projects.”

Ardea said the consortium will earn a significant interest in a joint venture (JV), which will develop and operate the KNP-Goongarrie Hub.

The proposed JV terms are due to be negotiated between Ardea and the consortium.

According to the pre-feasibility study, the project is estimated to have a capital cost of A$3.1bn ($2.06bn) and has the potential to produce 30,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) of nickel and 2,000tpa of cobalt during its operational life of more than 40 years.

The MoU has provisions for the two parties to make a final investment decision for the KNP-Goongarrie Hub.

https://www.mining-technology.com/news/ ... se-nickel/

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Nouveau projet de Nickel et Cobalt (plus Scandium) en Australie : Sconi project

Australian Mines obtains mining lease approval for Sconi project
The mining lease for the Sconi nickel-cobalt-scandium project is valid for 25 years.

July 5, 2023

Australian Mines’ subsidiary Sconi Mining Operations has received Mining Lease 10368 for the Sconi Battery Minerals Project in the Greenvale mining area in Queensland, Australia.

Valid for 25 years, the mining lease has been approved by the Queensland Department of Resources.

The Sconi project involves open-cut mining of known cobalt and nickel deposits at the site of the old Greenvale Nickel Mine and two nearby satellite deposits, Lucknow and Kokomo.

The project comprises three separate project areas near the township of Greenvale, Queensland.

Australian Mines said in a statement: “Australian Mines is pleased to secure this mining lease, which, combined with the Lucknow and Kokomo mining leases, contains the resources for the critical battery minerals at the Sconi Nickel-Cobalt-Scandium Project in North Queensland.”

With an estimated operational life of 30 years, the Sconi project will produce battery-grade nickel sulphate and cobalt sulphate with the potential to produce scandium oxide as a by-product.

Australian Mines is in talks about a potential collaborative partnership for the development of the Sconi project, which is due to be commissioned in 2028.

The company added: “Australian Mines continues to advance other activities for the project, including the environmental monitoring and studies and exploration works consistent with the timelines previously announced.”

In 2021, Australian Mines signed an offtake agreement with battery producer LG Energy Solutions for mixed nickel-cobalt hydroxide from the Sconi Project.

During the first six years of operations, the project will supply 71,000 dry metric tonnes of nickel and 7,000 dry metric tonnes of cobalt via a mixed nickel-cobalt hydroxide precipitate.

https://www.mining-technology.com/news/ ... ase-sconi/

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Nouveau prospect de Nickel et Cuivre dans le Yucon, Canada.

Palladium One receives exploration permit for Yukon nickel project
The Canalask project, purchased from Victoria Gold Co. in 2022 has assayed 2% nickel and 6% copper in preliminary samples.

By Alex DonaldsonJuly 13, 2023
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https://www.mining-technology.com/news/ ... er-nickel/

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Zambie : la mine Enterprise en bonne voie pour produire 5 à 10 000 tonnes de nickel en 2023

Agence Ecofin 26 juillet 2023

Après des mois de blocage, First Quantum a approuvé en mai 2022 un investissement de 1,3 milliard $ pour agrandir ses opérations en Zambie. Une partie des fonds était consacrée à la construction d’une mine de nickel dont l’entrée en production est intervenue au deuxième trimestre 2023.

En Zambie, la mine de nickel Enterprise a livré son premier concentré au cours du deuxième trimestre 2023. C’est l’annonce faite le 25 juillet par son propriétaire canadien First Quantum Minerals qui confirme que l’actif devrait livrer cette année 5 000 à 10 000 tonnes de nickel sous forme de concentré.

Durant les prochains mois, la compagnie poursuivra la montée en puissance de l’usine jusqu’à la production commerciale en 2024. Les ventes de concentré devraient cependant démarrer d’ici la fin du troisième trimestre 2023.

Avec la croissance de la demande mondiale de nickel du fait de l’utilisation du métal dans les batteries pour véhicules électriques, le projet Enterprise peut aider à terme la Zambie à mieux se positionner sur le marché des métaux critiques.

Une telle réussite devra en partie au chef de l’État zambien Hakainde Hichilema, dont les efforts ont encouragé First Quantum à débloquer en mai 2022 l’investissement nécessaire pour construire cette mine.

Pour rappel, Enterprise peut livrer à plein régime 30 000 tonnes par an de concentrés de nickel à haute teneur.

https://www.agenceecofin.com/nickel/260 ... el-en-2023

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First Quantum starts output at Africa’s biggest nickel mine

Bloomberg News | July 26, 2023

First Quantum Minerals Ltd. started production at what is set to turn into Africa’s biggest nickel mine, furthering Zambia’s aim of becoming a key supplier of battery metals for the electric vehicle revolution.


Output at the Enterprise mine in the country’s North-Western Province has commenced, with a new concentrator expected to be formally commissioned early next month, the Canadian company said Wednesday in a statement. First Quantum decided last year to invest an additional $100 million to complete the project.

The mine is expected to ramp up annual production to 32,000 tons of nickel over the next two years, according to First Quantum’s project manager Axel Köttgen. That would make Zambia the continent’s largest producer of the metal used in manufacturing batteries for EVs, the company said.

Countries from the US to China are rushing to secure supplies of critical battery minerals. Nickel is component of many EV batteries, and is particularly suited to high-performance vehicles.

Last year, First Quantum also approved a $1.25 billion project to expand its Kansanshi copper mine in Zambia after the government committed to a more predictable investment climate.

https://www.mining.com/web/first-quantu ... ckel-mine/

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suite de ce post du 13 nov 2022

projet de mine de Nickel en Ontario.

Magna Mining says PEA demonstrates the potential of Crean Hill Nickel Project

mer. 2 août 2023

Magna Mining CEO Jason Jessup joined Proactive's Stephen Gunnion with details of the Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) which has just been completed by Stantec on the company's 100% owned Crean Hill Nickel Project in Sudbury, Ontario.

Jessup said the PEA is the culmination of "a lot of work" undertaken over the past approximately eight months. Describing the PEA as very positive, he said the numbers speak for themselves, with robust economics, a long mine life and a short window to construction and ultimately production.

Jessup took Proactive through the Base Case scenario for Crean Hill, as well as an alternative milling scenario comparing the economics of the Base Case with an Alternative Processing scenario through a future mill at the company's Shakespeare Project.

Based on the results of the Alternative Processing portion of the PEA, a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) is recommended, with a focus on further optimization and the integration of the Crean Hill Project with the Shakespeare Project. The PEA also demonstrates why Magna Mining believes the Crean Hill Nickel Project has the potential to be the next nickel-producing mine in Canada, Jessup added.

https://fr.finance.yahoo.com/news/magna ... 32330.html

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suite de ce post du 4 juin 2023 viewtopic.php?p=2370799#p2370799

Nickel Creek Platinum estimates capex of $1.7bn for Nickel Shäw project

By NS Energy Staff Writer 25 Aug 2023

The Nickel Shäw project in Canada is estimated to bring post-tax cash flow of C$1.7bn ($1.25bn) over 19.1 years of life of mine

Canada-based Nickel Creek Platinum said that its fully owned Nickel Shäw project located in Canada will require a total capital cost (capex) of C$2.3bn ($1.69bn) over its life of mine, based on the findings of a pre-feasibility study (PFS).

The capex comprises a pre-production cost of nearly C$1.7bn ($1.25bn) for a three-year construction period and a sustaining capital cost of C$600m ($442m).

Nickel Creek Platinum said that the Nickel Shäw project is estimated to bring post-tax cash flow of C$1.7bn ($1.25bn) over the 19.1 years of life of mine.

According to the PFS, conventional open pit methods would be employed to mine the Nickel Shäw open pit.

Located in southwestern Yukon, the Nickel Shäw project contains the mining exploration and development company’s core nickel, copper, cobalt, platinum group metals (PGMs) Wellgreen deposit and the Formula, Arch, Burwash, Musk, and Quill claims.

The Canadian project comprises more than 2.4 billion pounds of nickel, 1.2 billion pounds of copper, 137 million pounds of cobalt, and 6.9 million ounces of PGMs in the measured and indicated mineral resource categories.

Nickel Creek Platinum president and CEO Stuart Harshaw said: “The PFS is an important milestone in realising the opportunity the Nickel Shäw Project represents in the critical mineral space where it can provide nickel and copper to take advantage of the strong nickel market for EV batteries.

”The sensitivity to energy costs illustrates how working with the different levels of government can lead to a significant improvement in value, especially when combined with the previously announced intention of the Federal government to provide a tax incentive for critical mineral projects such as Nickel Shäw.”

The PFS estimates a post-tax net present value (NPV) of C$143m ($105.27m) for the Canadian project.

It also projects a post-tax internal rate of return of 5.8% for the Nickel Shäw project with an after-tax payback period of 12.7 years.

https://www.nsenergybusiness.com/news/n ... w-project/

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Tsingshan starts 50,000t nickel plant in Indonesia

Reuters | August 21, 2023


Tsingshan’s industrial park in Indonesia. Credit: Tsingshan Holding Group

Major Chinese nickel maker Tsingshan Group has started commercial production of refined nickel in Indonesia, three sources familiar with the production told Reuters on Monday.


The plant, based in Morowali in Indonesia with an ultimate planned annual capacity of 50,000 metric tons, started commercial production last week, the sources said, declining to be named as they are not authorised to speak to the media.

Tsingshan did not respond to Reuters‘ calls or email.

The plant has started making nickel plate, sources told Reuters. It is unclear how much the current capacity is and when the plant will reach 50,000 ton capacity.

Sources told Reuters that Tsingshan plans to apply for the nickel produced at this plant to be listed as a deliverable brand on the London Metal Exchange (LME), which requires a minimum three months of stable production.

A subsidiary of China’s Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co received approval for its nickel made at its 36,600-ton plant in Zhejiang province to be listed as a deliverable brand on the LME.

Jingmen Gem Co, a unit of GEM Co Ltd, also applied to list its nickel from its 10,000-ton plant in Hubei province.

More Chinese producers are expected to apply for their nickel brands to be listed on the LME, especially after the LME cut the waiting time for listing as part of its program to revive nickel trade volumes after a 2022 crisis.

The volume slumped after LME prices doubled in just hours in disorderly trade on March 8, 2022, prompting LME to suspend its nickel market for the first time since 1988 and cancel all nickel trades on that day.

https://www.mining.com/web/tsingshan-st ... indonesia/

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Vale Indonesia, Huayou Cobalt, and Huali Nickel Indonesia target 60,000 tons of nickel for EV battery raw materials
The project will process limonite nickel ore from the Sorowako block and the HPAL facilities will be located in Malili, East Luwu, South Sulawesi

By NS Energy Staff Writer 28 Aug 2023

PT Vale Indonesia Tbk (“PT Vale” or the “Company”, IDX Ticker: INCO) signed a Definitive Cooperation Agreement with Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co. Ltd (Huayou) and PT Huali Nickel Indonesia (Huali) to construct High-Pressure Acid Leaching (HPAL) facilities target 60,000 tons of nickel and around 5,000 tons of cobalt per annum in Mixed Hydroxide Precipitate (MHP) products which can be further processed into electric vehicle batteries. The project will process limonite nickel ore from the Sorowako block and the HPAL facilities will be located in Malili, East Luwu, South Sulawesi.

This project, together with recent progress on the Pomalaa HPAL facility and Morowali Project, is part of realization of our growth ambition and fulfilment of our investment commitments.

Febriany Eddy, CEO of PT Vale Indonesia, said, “This co-operation is in line with Indonesia’s vision to build a domestic EV ecosystem and makes PT Vale an important contributor toward addressing the world’s decarbonization challenge, with an investment that will generate local economic benefits and ensure the optimal utilization of Indonesia’s nickel resources. PT Vale and the partners’ commitment to low carbon along with PT Vale demonstrated sustainable mining practices will make this a world class project.”

“This agreement is a strategic milestone for PT Vale as we advance our wider US$8.6 billion growth pipeline in Indonesia,” said Deshnee Naidoo, PT Vale President Commissioner. Deshnee adds, “With over half a century of operations in Indonesia, PT Vale is uniquely placed and committed to support and accelerate the country’s ambition for greater nickel downstream processing and to establish a thriving domestic EV supply chain – from mineral mining to battery and vehicle production.”

Mr. Chen Xuehua, Chairman of Huayou, said, “Cooperation to build win-win future lithium industry is a development concept that Huayou is committed to practicing. This cooperation is another perfect combination of Huayou Cobalt’s world-leading, green and low-carbon HPAL technology, Indonesia rich nickel resource advantage and PT Vale’s sustainable mining practices. Through the cooperation, Huayou will realize low-carbon, green and sustainable resource development through rigorous ESG practices, and add strength to the development of the new energy industry and also contribute to the economic and social development of Indonesia, as well as the global EV industry and its supply chain.”

The HPAL project will start construction immediately after obtaining all of the required permits

https://www.nsenergybusiness.com/news/v ... materials/

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Nouvelle-Calédonie : le gouvernement se penche sur la question du nickel, stratégique, mais qui cherche une rentabilité

BOURSORAMA AVEC MEDIA SERVICES•04/09/2023

En juillet, depuis Nouméa, Emmanuel Macron avait promis un "projet nickel d'avenir" pour rendre rentables les usines qui exploitent ce minerai.


Le gouvernement réunit lundi 4 septembre au ministère de l'Économie et des Finances la filière du nickel de Nouvelle-Calédonie, en grande difficulté malgré l'importance stratégique de ce métal dans la transition énergétique, pour des "réunions de travail". Ces discussions interviennent dans un cadre où sera discuté plus largement l'avenir de l'archipel, alors que le gouvernement souhaite mettre à la même table indépendantistes et non-indépendantistes.

Un audit de l'Inspection générale des finances (IGF) et du Conseil général de l'économie (CGE), rendu public le 1er août, a questionné la stratégie concernant le nickel, laquelle ne permet pas d'être rentables aux entreprises qui extraient ce composant utilisé notamment dans les batteries de véhicules électriques.

Afin de tenter d'avancer sur ce sujet, "plusieurs réunions de travail au niveau technique avec les différentes parties prenantes sur le sujet du nickel" vont se tenir "à Bercy cette semaine" et ce dès lundi, a indiqué le ministère à l' AFP .

"Refonte de la filière énergétique"

"L'objectif est d'essayer de mettre en œuvre les orientations données" par le président Emmanuel Macron lors de son déplacement à Nouméa fin juillet. À Nouméa, le président avait promis un "projet nickel d'avenir" pour rendre rentables les usines qui exploitent ce minerai. À la clé, un financement de l'État pour une "refonte de la filière énergétique" afin de fournir une électricité "compétitive" et "décarbonée".

Alors que le nickel est l'un des métaux stratégiques les plus demandés sur les marchés mondiaux en raison de la transition énergétique, les trois sociétés qui assurent sa production en Nouvelle-Calédonie (la Société le Nickel/SLN, Koniambo Nickel SAS et Prony) subissent des pertes depuis douze ans, selon le rapport de début août.

Pour devenir rentables, elles doivent pouvoir augmenter la production de leurs usines pour atteindre leur capacité nominale tout en réduisant leurs coûts, élevés au regard de la concurrence internationale, selon le rapport, qui préconise par ailleurs la conversion de deux usines de production de ferronickels essentiellement utilisés dans les alliages inoxydables à la production de nickel utilisable dans les batteries.

Enfin, l'énergie utilisée par les industriels calédoniens est particulièrement carbonée et représente un coût largement supérieur aux unités de production de leurs concurrents indonésiens.

Les investissements nécessaires sont chiffrés à 4,15 milliards d'euros pour la conversion des deux centrales à charbon existantes en centrales à gaz, un développement de l'énergie photovoltaïque, des stockages via des batteries et des stations de transfert d'énergie par pompage. Des solutions coûteuses qui ne pourront être prises en charge que par l'État, a reconnu le président Emmanuel Macron à Nouméa fin juillet.

https://www.boursorama.com/actualite-ec ... 938e21353b

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suite de ce post du 20 nov 2022 viewtopic.php?p=2358325#p2358325

FPX Nickel estimates initial capex of $2.2bn for Baptiste nickel project (Canada)
According to the PFS, the open-pit mining project will yield an average of 59,100 tonnes of nickel per year in concentrate over a 29-year mine life

By NS Energy Staff Writer 07 Sep 2023

Nickel mining company FPX Nickel said that its fully owned Baptiste nickel project in central British Columbia, Canada will require $2.18bn in total initial capital (initial capex), based on the findings of a preliminary feasibility study (PFS).

The total capital costs over its life of mine have been set at $4.41bn. Apart from the initial capex, they also include a sustaining capital cost of $1.18bn, expansion costs of $763m, and closure capital costs of $284m.

FPX Nickel said that the Baptiste nickel project is estimated to bring annual before-tax cash flow of $578m during its operating years.

According to the PFS, the open-pit mining project will produce an average of 59,100 tonnes of nickel per year in concentrate over a 29-year mine life.

FPX Nickel aims to develop the nickel project in a phased manner, with an initial mill throughput rate of 108,000 tonnes per day.

Phase 1 will be followed by an expansion to 162,000 tonnes per day, which will be phase 2 of the Baptiste nickel project.

The Canadian project’s phase 1 will last for the initial nine years and phase 2 from year 10 to 29.

FPX Nickel president and CEO Martin Turenne said: “The Baptiste project represents a significant opportunity for First Nations, the governments of British Columbia and Canada, and FPX to work together to develop a project that creates substantial and sustainable benefits while protecting the environment for future generations.

“We look forward to continued collaboration with local Indigenous groups, and the provincial and federal governments to support the development of Canada’s critical minerals ecosystem and to leverage health, economic and social benefits for local communities.”

The PFS estimates a post-tax net present value (NPV) of $2.01bn for the Canadian nickel project.

It also projects a post-tax internal rate of return (IRR) of 18.6% for the Baptiste nickel project with an after-tax payback period of 3.7 years.

FPX Nickel plans to begin construction early works in early 2028, followed by full construction, and subsequent production of the first nickel in Q4 2030.

https://www.nsenergybusiness.com/news/f ... l-project/

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en relation avec ce post du 25 juin 2023 viewtopic.php?p=2372198#p2372198

Soutien US de 20 millions de dollars pour le développement du Nickel local.

US defence department awards $20.6m for nickel prospecting
The US currently only has one operating nickel-cobalt mine, which is due to close in 2026.

By Florence Jones September 14, 2023

The US Department of Defense (DoD) has announced $20.6m in funding for the development of the proposed Talon nickel mine in the northern state of Minnesota.

The funding forms part of a programme seeking to strengthen US critical mineral supply chains and will support prospecting work in Michigan and Minnesota. The announcement follows a $114m funding package from the Department of Energy last year to develop Talon Metal’s ore processing plant in North Dakota.

The Defense Production Act allows the president to expediate and expand the supply materials and services needed for national defence.

Nickel is used both in high-temperature alloys required for the aerospace industry and in stainless steel and lithium-ion batteries.

According to the announcement published on 12 September, the US only has one operating nickel-cobalt mine, which is currently expected to close in 2026 unless more suitable ore is discovered. The Eagle Mine is located on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

“This award exemplifies the DoD’s commitment to strengthening the resilience of critical supply chains and lessening our reliance on foreign sources of vital materials,” said Anthony Di Stasio, director of the DoD programme.

The announcement comes despite a decision by the White House earlier this year to protect wilderness areas in north-eastern Minnesota from mining activity. Under the order, signed in January, certain areas cannot be subject to geothermal or mineral leases for 20 years.

Talon said it will also contribute $21.8m in matching funds over a three-year period. It will use the money to buy equipment, hire employees and find more high-grade nickel deposits, primarily in Michigan.

“With this funding, Talon will be able to accelerate our efforts to discover domestic sources of battery grade nickel and help ensure that the United States is not dependent on Russia, China or Chinese companies operating in countries like Indonesia for nickel that is needed in both defence platforms and clean energy systems,” said Henri van Rooyen, CEO of Talon.

https://www.mining-technology.com/news/ ... g/?cf-view