Corcel plc announced progress with its cobalt-nickel projects in east and southeast Papua New Guinea (PNG).
MAMBARE
The company said its application for a Mambare mining lease is undergoing its final government review, which was likely to be the last step in the process.
Corcel is also advancing the project to direct shipping ore (DSO) production, including preparing engineering reports on the existing 35 bridges between Kaumundo and Oro Bay.
Routine warden meetings and community compensation negotiations continue.
Corcel received the environmental permit during 2021 for the project which holds a JORC 2012 resource of 1.53Mt nickel and 146Kt cobalt.
The project is 100% owned by Oro Nickel, which is a joint venture between Corcel (41%) and Australian company Battery Metals Pty Ltd (59%).
WOWO GAP
Corcel continues a JORC review and gap analysis of its cobalt-nickel Wowo Gap (100%) project, which holds a JORC 2004 resource of 1.33Mt nickel and 83Kt cobalt.
The company added it had hired a small Australian team to manage the project and the first resupply journey to the camp, bringing fuel, food and medicines is now complete.
During 2022, Corcel intends to focus on revising the 2004 resource estimate to the 2012 standard.
It will also complete a gap analysis aimed at producing a bankable feasibility study which the company will use to apply for a 20-year mining lease.
Corcel continues discussions regarding an offtake agreement with Shandong New Powder COSMO AM&T following the non-binding memorandum of understanding signed in January 2022.