Direct Nickel produces first nickel concentrate
Monday, July 22 2013 - 03:40 AM WIB
ASX-listed firm Direct Nickel Limited (DNi) said that the company's test plant has produced its first nickel/cobalt concentrate in the form of a Mixed Hydroxide Product (MHP).
Direct Nickel CEO, Russell Debney said last weekend the test plant technical program is on track to deliver on targets set for 2013.
These targets include the generation of engineering and economic data for design of a first DNi commercial plant, commencing in 2014.
The company's statement earlier said that stage 2 of the test plant has been constructed and successfully commissioned.
This completes the full DNi Process flow sheet for the operations now underway at the Test Plant at the Australian Minerals Research Centre, Perth.
The recently completed 10 day campaign used an Indonesian laterite feed supplied by PT ANTAM, Indonesia?s largest nickel miner, under its Co-operation Agreement with DNi.
Debney said that the first production of marketable nickel concentrate at the Test Plant was the culmination of several years? work, with over $40 million having already been invested in the Company and its technology.
?Direct Nickel is now well positioned in its plans to introduce a revolutionary extractive technology to unlock the potential of the world?s extensive nickel laterite resources and provide a competitive supply solution to the global nickel and stainless steel industries among others?, he said.
?We are well on the way to concluding the Test Plant program successfully, and the board and management are already working on funding and development strategies for the first commercial plant?, Debney said.
Editing by Adianto P. Siamamora