Fresh off a change to its name, Alliance Nickel and engineering partner Ausenco have built out their team to complete the DFS for the NiWest Nickel-Cobalt project before the end of the year. 

A key appointment is that of North American company EXP which will carry out design and cost estimation of the sulphuric acid plant for NiWest.

EXP is a large engineering company with experience in the application of the latest sulphuric acid technology.

The acid plant is a critical piece of infrastructure, which will produce sulphuric acid for the Heap Leach process by consuming elemental sulphur and in the process, produce steam for power generation.

Alliance Nickel (ASX:AXN) – formerly GME Resources – believes the self-generation of electricity from the acid plant means NiWest will have a low energy intensity (~80 MJ/kg Ni), leading to significant cost and environmental benefits.

Meanwhile, globally recognised firm Knight Piésold has been appointed to undertake design work for the heap leach area, residue storage facilities and site-wide water management structures and mining consultancy firm SRK has been appointed to carry out the resource modelling for the project.

Drilling works will be undertaken under SRK management to convert Inferred Mining Inventory to Measured and Indicated to supplement the revised Mineral Resource Estimate that they will provide for the DFS.

On track for DFS delivery in Q4

Several key internal appointments have also been made to support the development of the NiWest Nickel Cobalt Project, in line with AXN’s overall corporate strategy.

A new chief financial officer will begin in March after wrapping up the notice period of his current employer.

“We are delighted with the success we’ve had in building out our team to deliver the NiWest Nickel-Cobalt Project in what is a highly competitive market,” AXN managing director Paul Kopejtka says.

“Leading consultants have now been appointed for all critical mining, civil and process infrastructure required to complete the Definitive Feasibility Study and final engineering this year.

“We anticipate the work completed by our consultants will be of high standard and meet or exceed the expectations of our future product offtake and financing partners.

“The company remains on track for successful delivery of the NiWest DFS in Q4, 2023.”

 

 

 

This article was developed in collaboration with Alliance Nickel, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

 

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions