Overview
Stage | Production |
Mine Type | Open Pit |
Commodities |
|
Mining Method |
|
Production Start | ...  |
Mine Life | 18 years (as of Jan 1, 2022) |
Mt Keith mine includes Concentrator, Mt Keith Mine, Mt Keith Satellite Mine (Yakabindie). Mt Keith Satellite Mine contains 2 open-pit mines: Six Mile Well and Goliath. |
Latest News | CPB selected for BHP Nickel West Debottlenecking Project SMPE&I work March 27, 2023 |
Source:
p. 181,202
The Mt Keith Nickel Operation (NMK) is mine, wholly owned and operated by NiW (BHP Billiton Nickel West Pty Ltd), a subsidiary of BHP.
Contractors
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Deposit Type
- Intrusion related
- Magmatic
- Metamorphic
Summary:
Disseminated textured magmatic nickel-sulphide mineralisation associated with a metamorphosed ultramafic intrusion.
The stratigraphy in the Mt Keith region is composed of ultramafic sequences (olivine cumulates and thin spinifex textured flows), basalts, volcanic and volcanoclastic rocks and sedimentary rocks The ultramafic sequence at Mt Keith is lenticular It faces W, dips 80- 85, and has undergone low- to mid-greenschist metamorphism The major komatiitic rock types include sulphide-bearing olivine mesocumulate, olivine orthocumulate, talc-carbonate altered orthocumulates and a porphyry olivine rock The non sulphide mineralogy consists of hydrated Mg silicates (Iizardite, antigorite, chrysotile, talc), Mg oxy carboxyl hydroxides (brucite, stichtite, pyroaurite, iowaite), spinels (chromite, magnetite), carbonates (magnesite, dolomite), tremolite-actinolite and chlorite The disseminated sulphide mineralogy is dominated by pentlandite, with minor millerite, viola rite and pyrrhotite Trace amounts of pyrite, chalcopyrite, heazlewoodite, gersdorffite, polydymite, tochilinite, sphalerite and exsolved Co sulphides are also present.
Summary:
The mining of nickel sulphide ore through conventional open-cut mining methods, involving drill and blast and categorisation of blasted material into ore and waste rock.
Mt Keith Satellite Mine contains 2 open-pit mines: Six Mile Well in full production and Goliath currently being pre-stripped.
The expansion of the Mt Keith concentrator is possible because our Mt Keith Satellite development - 6 Mile Well and Goliath pits, go into full production rates and because in parallel, recommence mining operations in the long-standing Mt Keith pit.
The next stage of the Mt Keith pit - stage one - will provide a total of 88 million tonnes with steady state feed commencing from financial year 2024. This will involve a 50% increase in mining activity this financial year with new Liebherr 9600 and 9400 excavators being added to the fleet.
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Summary:

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Reserves at June 30, 2022:
Cut-off criteria:
Mineral Resources: OC Disseminated Sulphide - Variable between 0.35%Ni and 0.40%Ni.
Ore Reserves: OC - 0.35%Ni
Category | OreType | Tonnage | Commodity | Grade |
Proven & Probable
|
Stockpiles
|
8.2 Mt
|
Nickel
|
0.55 %
|
Proven & Probable
|
In-Situ (OP)
|
230 Mt
|
Nickel
|
0.56 %
|
Total Resource
|
Stockpiles
|
8.2 Mt
|
Nickel
|
0.55 %
|
Total Resource
|
In-Situ (OP)
|
625 Mt
|
Nickel
|
0.58 %
|
NMK’s current operations include a largely integrated water supply network including stormwater harvesting and groundwater abstraction from existing borefields and operational dewatering bores at Mount Keith and Cliffs.
A review of operational requirements for water determined additional supply is required to adequately provide for operational activities, including construction, dust suppression, hydro scaling and drill and blast operations. This water will be sourced from existing licensed borefields and reticulated via water carts and surface polyethylene piping.
Heavy Mobile Equipment as of August 3, 2021:
HME Type | Model |
Excavator
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.......................
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Excavator
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