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Australia

Sunrise Project

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Categories

Overview

Mine TypeOpen Pit
StagePermitting
Commodities
  • Nickel
  • Cobalt
  • Scandium
  • Ammonium sulphate
Mining Method
  • Truck & Shovel / Loader
Mine Life... Lock
SnapshotThe Sunrise Project is one of the largest and most cobalt-rich nickel laterite deposits in the world and is development-ready, with all key permits and approvals in place. Sunrise is also one of the largest and highest-grade scandium deposits globally.

In June 2018, Clean TeQ completed a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS). In June 2020, the DFS was updated with a Project Execution Plan (PEP), revised Capital and Operating costs and engineering study.

Owners

SourceSource
CompanyInterestOwnership
Sunrise Energy Metals Ltd. 100 % Indirect
The Sunrise Ni-Co deposit Mineral Resource/Reserve area is covered entirely by Mining Lease ML 1770 (2,676 .0 ha). This Mining Lease is held 100% by Clean TeQ Sunrise Pty Ltd. ML 1770 has an initial validity period of 21 years and may be extended by future applications for renewal.

Clean TeQ holds relevant exploration and mining leases, a water license, and owns all the freehold land required for project development and infrastructure.

Clean TeQ Holdings Limited changed its name on 24 March 2021 to Sunrise Energy Metals Limited (formerly Clean TeQ Holdings Limited).

Contractors

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Deposit type

  • Laterite

Summary:

The Sunrise Project is one of the largest and most cobalt-rich nickel laterite deposits in the world.

The mineralisation is essentially horizontal with local dips of a few degrees in various directions. The resource extends over an area approximately 4km x 4km; thickness of the lateritised zones varies from a few metres to a total of over 30m. The base of the mineralisation varies from a few metres to more than 60m below natural surface.

• Sunrise is an iron-rich ‘oxide type’ nickel laterite deposit with higher than normal levels of associated Co and local elevated Pt and Sc values. It has developed over an ultramafic intrusive complex.
• The laterite profile is best developed over a Dunite core and thins over peripheral Pyroxenites.
• The laterite profile is partly overlain by transported alluvium.
• The laterite profile is interpreted to consist of 5 subhorizontal zones:

1)Residual Overburden (OVB): This zone is characterised by nickel values <0.2% nickel and very low cobalt values (<0.02% cobalt) with silicon values similar or slightly higher than the underlying TZ but relatively higher aluminium content. The OVB zone contains mean values for nickel and cobalt of 0.11% and 0.015% respectively.

2) Transitional Zone (TZ): The TZ represents weathered GZ material and was defined by the Al values as they increase significantly within the TZ from 2-3% Al to >4%. The nickel values dropped below 0.46% nickel and cobalt values fell below 0.03% cobalt compared with the nickel and cobalt values of 0.75% and 0.17% respectively from the underlying GZ. The mean values of the TZ for nickel and cobalt are 0.36% and 0.04% respectively.

3) Goethite Zone (GZ): The GZ is characterised by high iron and low silicon and variable aluminium values. The most significant difference is the increased nickel and cobalt values where the mean nickel and cobalt values are 0.75% and 0.15% respectively. The GZ/TZ boundary is gradational but an aluminium cut-over value of 2-3% has been used with the result that the mean aluminium value in the GZ is 3%. The GZ/SGZ is well defined with silicon values increasing from approximately 10% to >20% silicon being the principal criterion.

4) Silicified Goethite Zone (SGZ): The SGZ is characterised by high Si, generally >20% Si and low Al values (<2%). The nickel and cobalt values are lower than the GZ with the mean nickel and cobalt values being 0.6% and 0.07% respectively.

5) Saprolite Zone (SAP): The SAP Zone represents the saprolite horizon of the underlying dunite source rock. Its principal characteristic is the significant increase in magnesium (>5%) together with a commensurate lower iron content (<10%). The nickel and cobalt are lower than the overlying SGZ with the mean nickel and cobalt values being 0.25% and 0.025% respectively.

• Nickel-cobalt mineralisation is best developed in the GZ and SGZ, overlying the dunite.

Reserves

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Mining Methods

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Comminution

Crushers and Mills

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Processing

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Production

CommodityProductUnitsAvg. Annual
Nickel Metal in sulphate t 18,439
Nickel Sulphate t 83,814
Cobalt Metal in sulphate t 3,179
Cobalt Sulphate t 15,286
Scandium Oxide t 20
Ammonium sulphate t 50,594

Operational metrics

Metrics
Annual ore mining rate  ....  Subscribe
Annual mining rate  ....  Subscribe
Annual processing capacity  ....  Subscribe
* According to 2020 study.

Production Costs

CommodityUnitsAverage
Credits (by-product) Nickel USD  ....  Subscribe
C1 cash costs Nickel USD  ....  Subscribe
C1 cash costs Nickel USD  ....  Subscribe
C2 total cash costs Nickel USD  ....  Subscribe
C3 fully allocated costs Nickel USD  ....  Subscribe
Assumed price Sc2O3 USD  ....  Subscribe
Assumed price Cobalt USD  ....  Subscribe
Assumed price Nickel USD  ....  Subscribe
* According to 2020 study / presentation.
** Net of By-Product.

Project Costs

MetricsUnitsLOM Total
Pre-Production capital costs $M USD  ......  Subscribe
Gross revenue (LOM) $M USD  ......  Subscribe
EBITDA (LOM) $M USD  ......  Subscribe
Pre-tax Cash Flow (LOM) $M USD  ......  Subscribe
After-tax Cash Flow (LOM) $M USD  ......  Subscribe
After-tax NPV @ 8% $M USD  ......  Subscribe
After-tax IRR, %  ......  Subscribe
After-tax payback period, years  ......  Subscribe

Required Heavy Mobile Equipment

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Personnel

Mine Management

Job TitleNameProfileRef. Date
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Nov 9, 2023

Total WorkforceYear
...... Subscription required 2020

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