PERTH (miningweekly.com) – ASX-listed Pacific Nickel is readying for first direct shipping ore (DSO) production from its Kolosori project, in the Solomon Islands, by mid-2023.
The company noted that the recent granting of the mining lease now allows Pacific Nickel to progress key steps to achieve commercial shipment of nickel laterite DSO.
“We are pleased that the construction activities have commenced with a particular focus on the DSO load out wharf, perhaps the project’s most important component. Once this is in place the operation will be unlocked,” said Pacific Nickel CEO Geoff Hiller.
“Positive feedback from the site visits by our technical team and Glencore give us confidence that development of the project is on track. This should allow the project to ramp up to full production - around 1.3-million wet metric tonnes per annum of DSO nickel ore - during 2023,” he added.
Pacific Nickel is working closely with Glencore, as a financier for the project, to complete an agreement for a $22-million project finance facility and DSO offtake sales.
“We are working closely with the landowners and local contractors and appreciate their support in the delivery of this project,” said Hiller.,
For the remainder of 2022, Pacific Nickel will focus on the construction of the DSO loadout wharf, the expansion of the existing pioneering camp and facilities to establish a 50-man construction camp, and the construction of the mine haul road.