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 v ........

Due to the proximity of the mineralisation to surface, the deposit is amenable to conventional open pit mining. Two feasibility studies have developed practicable staged open pit mine plans based on conventional open pit mining by contractor, using large backhoes and trucks, operating on working benches 2m in height.

The orebody presents as a shallow bowl covered by alluvium and overburden, with thinner ore intercepts and minimal overburden on the edges. The mining area is quite extensive, covering an area approximately 4 km x 2 km. The pits are shallow, with a maximum depth of approximately 50 m.

Mine operating strategies and equipment selection has centred around selective mining methods utilising excavators, haul trucks and possibly ripping or drilling and blasting methods (if required). Backhoe excavators are proposed as the preferred excavation tool due to their superior ability to achieve selective mining through sitting on top of the material being excavated.

The in-pit materials (ore - grade, transitional, overburden and alluvial) are all friable and loose, so underfoot conditions within the pits are expected to be soft, unconsolidated and difficult. In this environment, rigid haul trucks are expected to struggle in wet conditions. Articulated haul trucks are better suited for these floor conditions and are also well matched in size for selective mining.

For the purposes of topsoil removal, and for some areas of pre-strip, ........

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