Horizonte Minerals plc has received a mining permit for its 100%-owned Araguaia nickel project in northeast Brazil.
ORE STOCKPILES
Consent from the Pará State Secretariat for Environment and Sustainability (Semas) allows initial work currently underway to establish ore stockpiles on the ROM pad ahead of the commissioning phase.
“The approval enables the company to mine, stockpile and categorise ore, optimising the consistency of the feedstock, a process required to mitigate risk during commissioning which is a key part of the mine-to-mill strategy,” said Horizonte in a statement
PEQUIZEIRO PIT
Over the next six months, stockpiles will be established with sufficient ore to feed the plant for the following six months.
The primary source of ore to Araguaia will be the Pequizeiro pit, located 750 metres from the plant site.
Pequizeiro will supply the first two years of the project’s mine life and contribute more than 50% of the mine production for the first ten years.
Chief executive Jeremy Martin added: “The Horizonte team continues to work closely with Semas and other local stakeholders, towards delivering long-term sustainable value for all involved in this new tier 1 nickel project.”