Name of the Project
Sconi cobalt/nickel/scandium project.

Location
North Queensland, Australia.

Project Owner/s
Australian Mines.

Project Description
The project includes the Greenvale, Lucknow and Kokomo mineral deposits. It is expected to produce about 46 800 t/y of nickel sulphate and 7 000 t/y of cobalt sulphate over its 30-year mine life.

The project includes a two-million-tonne-a-year ore processing plant for mixed nickel-cobalt hydroxide precipitate (MHP).

The project will feature a dry-stacked tailings system, using renewable energy.

Construction is expected to first start at the Greenvale site.

Potential Job Creation
The project is expected to create 800 jobs, including 500 jobs during construction between 2022 and 2024, and a further 300 jobs during its operational phase from 2024.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has a pretax net present value, at an 8% discount rate, of $1.47-billion and an internal rate of return of 20%, with a payback of 5.8 years.

Capital Expenditure
The project is estimated at $974-million, including a $110-million contingency.

Planned Start/End Date
The project is planned for commissioning in 2028.

Latest Developments
The Queensland government has granted Australian Mines mining lease approval for its Sconi battery minerals project for 25 years.

The approval of the Greenvale mining lease is another step in realising the Sconi battery minerals project, with the company expected to make a final investment decision by the end of 2025.

Australian Mines is in discussions regarding the potential for a strategic collaborative partnership to develop the project, and is progressing the environmental approval and other key workstreams.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Ausenco, Orelogy and Simulus Laboratories.

Contact Details for Project Information
Australian Mines, tel +61 7 3184 9184 or email info@australianmines.com.au.