Overview
Stage | Production |
Mine Type | Open Pit |
Commodities |
|
Mining Method |
|
Production Start | ... |
Mine Life | 2037 |
On February 12, 2024, Koniambo Nickel SAS (KNS) – a joint venture between Société Minière du Sud Pacifique SA (SMSP) and Glencore plc – made the decision to transition KNS into care and maintenance.
High operating costs and current very weak nickel market conditions means KNS remains an unprofitable operation. |
Source:
p. 27
Koniambo Nickel (KNS) is a joint venture whose capital is 51% owned by Société Minière du Sud Pacifique (SMSP) and 49% by Glencore.
Contractors
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Summary:
The saprolite deposit contains 75.6 million tonnes of measured and indicated resources grading 2.47% of nickel and 83 million tonnes of inferred resources grading 2.5%. The Koniambo orebody extends over 20 kilometers long and 5 kilometers wide. On this area of approximately 21 square kilometers has a mineralization of lateritic origin with high contents of nickel.
The laterite profile of the deposit can be described as having a thin layer of rich duricrust that is superimposed on a layer of limonite covering an area of transition finally leading to a layer of saprolite. The quality of nickel, cobalt, iron and various oxide ores varies with depth. The potential economic lateritic material is found mainly along the crest of the orebody and occasionally in the form of scattered pockets on several isolated terraces that extend to the West. Except for four large plates, limonite covering is generally less than 5 meters and it often brings out the trading saprolite.
Summary:
Koniambo Nickel mined saprolitic ore from a complex of open pits in the Koniambo Massif and used an overland conveyor system to haul the ore about 11 km to a pyrometallurgical smelter.
Flow Sheet:
Summary:
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Reserves at December 31, 2022:
Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves are reported at a cut-off grade of 2.0% Ni.
Mineral Resources are reported inclusive of Mineral Reserves.
Category | Tonnage | Commodity | Grade |
Proven
|
9.5 Mt
|
Nickel
|
2.22 %
|
Probable
|
26 Mt
|
Nickel
|
2.19 %
|
Proven & Probable
|
35.5 Mt
|
Nickel
|
2.2 %
|
Measured
|
9.5 Mt
|
Nickel
|
2.47 %
|
Indicated
|
43.8 Mt
|
Nickel
|
2.41 %
|
Measured & Indicated
|
53 Mt
|
Nickel
|
2.42 %
|
Inferred
|
85 Mt
|
Nickel
|
2.5 %
|
Corporate Filings & Presentations:
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