Mallee progressing Avebury restart

9th September 2022 By: Esmarie Iannucci - Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor: Australasia

PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Nickel developer Mallee Resources has started commissioning of the Avebury plant.

Mallee in July completed the acquisition of the Avebury project by acquiring all of the shares in Allegiance Mining, drawing down a $20-million debt facility and $10-million bridging loan facility to fund the acquisition.

Avebury is currently estimated to host a mineral resource of 29.3-million tonnes, grading 0.9% nickel and 229 parts per million cobalt. The project has been on care and maintenance since 2008, owing to the onset of the global financial crisis and the subsequent fall in nickel prices.

Mining operations have restarted and around 25 000 t of ore have been stockpiled on the run-of-mine pad to date.

Mallee chairperson Jeff Moore said on Friday that the progress made at Avebury was outstanding, with the project transformed from one on care and maintenance for 13 years to an operating mine site in less than six months.

“We are seeing Australia’s next nickel sulphide mine emerge and full credit should be given to the team on site for their wonderful achievement,” said Moore.

The Avebury project has now moved to a 24/7 operation and 150 employees make up the workforce.