The completion of a definitive feasibility study (DFS) for the Jaguar nickel sulphide project, in Brazil, has been delayed to the first quarter of next year, ASX-listed Centaurus Metals said on Monday.
This followed a formal request from lead engineering group, Ausenco, for a timetable extension to complete capital and operating cost estimation and project implementation scheduling, as it is awaiting submissions of proposals by external suppliers and contractors.
Centaurus said that the extended timeline might result in the final investment decision being pushed into the fourth quarter of 2024.
Further, the miner noted that the ongoing strategic partnering process continued to demonstrate that there was strong and broad strategic interest in the Jaguar project, as one of the few advanced-stage, large-scale nickel sulphide projects globally. The mineral resource hosts nearly one-million tonnes of contained nickel in an openpittable nickel sulphide deposit.
“Centaurus is confident that the strategic partnering process will deliver an attractive package of funding for the project, given the strong interest levels and engagement seen to date,” it said.
The scoping study envisages the development of openpit and underground mines supplying a 2.7-million-tonne-a-year nickel sulphate plant over an initial 13-year mine life.
The mine is expected to produce more than 20 000 t/y of recovered nickel in sulphate and more than 9 600 t/y of mixed sulphide precipitate.