Name and Location
Wingellina nickel mine, Australia.

Client
Hinckley Range, a subsidiary of Metals X.

Project Description
Hinckley proposes to mine nickeliferous limonite ore from the Wingellina deposit.

The project has an estimated mineral resource using a 0.5% cutoff of 183.2-million tonnes at 0.98% nickel, 0.08% cobalt and 47% iron (III) oxide. The ore reserve is estimated at 167.5-million tonnes grading 0.98% nickel, 0.08% cobalt and 47% iron (III) oxide.

The expected mine life is more than 40 years at a mining rate of up to 4.5-million tonnes a year.
The proponent proposes to use a high-pressure acid leach process to produce a mixed nickel/cobalt hydroxide product. The mine is expected to produce an estimated 40 000 t/y of nickel and 3 000 t/y of cobalt.

Up to 5.5-million tonnes a year of residues from ore processing (tailings) will be discharged to a paddock-style tailings storage facility (TSF), with separate evaporation ponds to manage TSF decant water and stormwater.

The proposal also includes a water supply borefield in the Central Officer basin and an overland pipeline adjacent to and aligned with existing roads connecting the borefield and the mine site.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Value
Not stated.

Duration
Not stated.

Latest Developments
The Western Australia Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has recommended that the Environment Minister approve the project.

The mine’s proposal has been assessed at a high level of environmental-impact assessment.

Should the proposal be approved by the Environment Minister, the EPA has recommended seven conditions, including a revised air quality-management plan to minimise the impacts of atmospheric and particulate emissions and a plan to minimise impacts on a conservation significant flora species from ground-disturbing activities associated with the borefield and pipeline.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Hinckley Range, tel +61 8 9220 5700, fax +61 8 9220 5757 or email reception@metalsx.com.au.