Eramet to carry pilot campaign at Weda Bay nickel project

French mining firm Eramet SA said on Thursday that it would carry pilot campaign for hydrometallurgical process developed by the company at Weda Bay nickel project in Halmahera island, North Maluku in the first half 2007.

The company also said mining test will also be carried out this year at the Weda Bay site and in-depth exploration continued in satisfactory manner.

Eramet acquired Weda Bay nickel project last year for US$245 million.

Eramet is developing the Weda Bay Nickel Cobalt Project, which is one of the world's largest undeveloped nickel projects. The project resources are 155 million tons grading 1.45% Ni and 0.09% Co of measured and indicated resources plus 123 million tonnes grading 1.53% Ni and 0.08% Co of inferred resource. Resource estimates are at a cutoff grade of 1.0% Ni.

Eramet has completed an independent Pre Feasibility Study, which concludes that the Halmahera project is viable.(alex)