Overview
| Stage | Production |
| Mine Type | Open Pit & Underground |
| Commodities |
|
| Mining Method |
- Truck & Shovel / Loader
- Block caving
- Sub-level caving
|
| Processing |
- Crush & Screen plant
- Flotation
|
| Mine Life | 9 years (as of Jan 1, 2021) |
Leinster underground ceased operations in 2013 and recommenced operations in 2016 with Venus sub-level cave now in operation and B11 block cave developing its undercut and first draw points. |
| Latest News | BHP Nickel West awards $190m mine contract to Thiess September 10, 2018 |
Source:
p. 234
BHP Billiton Nickel West Pty Ltd is a wholly owned subsidiary of BHP Group Ltd.
Deposit Type
- Intrusion related
- Metamorphic
Summary:
Steeply dipping disseminated and massive textured nickel-sulphide mineralisation associated with metamorphosed ultramafic lava flows and intrusions.
BHP Billiton’s Leinster Nickel Operation (LNO) is located 600 km north-east of Perth in the Eastern Goldfields Region of Western Australia. The LNO deposits are situated within the Wiluna Greenstone Belt and the orebodies are hosted in Komatite Ultramafic lava flows.
Mining Methods
- Truck & Shovel / Loader
- Block caving
- Sub-level caving
Summary:
Leinster mine complex - Venus sub-level caving operation, B11 block caving operation, Rocky’s Reward open-pit mine.
Processing
- Crush & Screen plant
- Flotation
Source:
Summary:
Nickel sulphide ore is mined at the Leinster underground mines and Rocky’s Reward open-pit mine and processed through a concentrator and dryer at Leinster.
Concentration plant with a nominal capacity 3 Mtpa of ore.
Recoveries & Grades:
| Commodity | Parameter | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
|
Nickel
|
Concentrate Grade, %
| ......  | ...... | ...... |
Production:
| Commodity | Units | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|
Nickel
|
kt
| ...... | ...... | ...... | 299 |
All production numbers are expressed as concentrate.
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Operational Metrics:
| Metrics | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|
Plant annual capacity
| ...... | ...... | 3 Mt | 3 Mt | 3 Mt | 3 Mt |
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Reserves at June 30, 2021:
Cut-off criteria:
Mineral Resources: OC Disseminated Sulphide - 0.40% Ni, UG Disseminated Sulphide - Variable between stratigraphic for block cave and 1.0% Ni, Oxide - 1.2% Ni.
Ore Reserves: OC - 0.40% Ni, UG - 0.90% Ni.
| Category | OreType | Tonnage | Commodity | Grade |
|
Proven
|
In-Situ (OP)
|
1.9 Mt
|
Nickel
|
0.63 %
|
|
Probable
|
Stockpiles
|
1.5 Mt
|
Nickel
|
0.76 %
|
|
Probable
|
In-Situ (OP)
|
1.5 Mt
|
Nickel
|
0.63 %
|
|
Probable
|
In-Situ (UG)
|
5 Mt
|
Nickel
|
1.6 %
|
|
Proven & Probable
|
Stockpiles
|
1.5 Mt
|
Nickel
|
0.76 %
|
|
Proven & Probable
|
In-Situ (OP)
|
3.4 Mt
|
Nickel
|
0.63 %
|
|
Proven & Probable
|
In-Situ (UG)
|
5 Mt
|
Nickel
|
1.6 %
|
|
Measured
|
In-Situ (OP)
|
4.35 Mt
|
Nickel
|
0.92 %
|
|
Measured
|
In-Situ (UG)
|
15.63 Mt
|
Nickel
|
2 %
|
|
Indicated
|
Stockpiles
|
1.5 Mt
|
Nickel
|
0.76 %
|
|
Indicated
|
In-Situ (OP)
|
78 Mt
|
Nickel
|
0.64 %
|
|
Indicated
|
In-Situ (UG)
|
12.4 Mt
|
Nickel
|
1.99 %
|
|
Inferred
|
Stockpiles
|
1.9 Mt
|
Nickel
|
1.7 %
|
|
Inferred
|
In-Situ (OP)
|
52.37 Mt
|
Nickel
|
0.67 %
|
|
Inferred
|
In-Situ (UG)
|
4.3 Mt
|
Nickel
|
1.94 %
|
|
Inferred
|
Oxide
|
5.2 Mt
|
Nickel
|
1.8 %
|
|
Total Resource
|
Stockpiles
|
3.4 Mt
|
Nickel
|
1.3 %
|
|
Total Resource
|
In-Situ (OP)
|
134.6 Mt
|
Nickel
|
0.65 %
|
|
Total Resource
|
In-Situ (UG)
|
32.2 Mt
|
Nickel
|
1.99 %
|
|
Total Resource
|
Oxide
|
5.2 Mt
|
Nickel
|
1.8 %
|
Aerial view:
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