Overview
Stage | Production |
Mine Type | Open Pit |
Commodities |
|
Mining Method |
|
Processing |
- Crush & Screen plant
- Flotation
|
Mine Life | 15 years (as of Jan 1, 2021) |
Mt Keith mine and concentrator - Mt Keith Mine, Mt Keith Satellite Mine (Yakabindie). |
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Source:
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The Mt Keith Nickel Operation (NMK) is mine, wholly owned and operated by NiW (BHP Billiton Nickel West Pty Ltd), a subsidiary of BHP.
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.
Processing
- Crush & Screen plant
- Flotation
Source:
Summary:
Disseminated sulphide ore is mined at the Mt Keith open-pit operation and crushed and processed onsite to produce nickel concentrate. Concentration plant with a nominal capacity: 11 Mtpa of ore.
Recoveries & Grades:
Commodity | Parameter | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
Nickel
|
Concentrate Grade, %
| ......  | ......  | ......  |
Production:
Commodity | Units | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Nickel
|
kt
| ......  | ......  | ......  | 205 |
All production numbers are expressed as concentrate.
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Operational Metrics:
Metrics | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
Plant annual capacity
| ......  | ......  | 11 Mt | 11 Mt | 11 Mt | 12 Mt |
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Reserves at June 30, 2021:
Cut-off criteria:
Mineral Resources: OC Disseminated Sulphide - Variable between 0.35%Ni and 0.40%Ni.
Ore Reserves: OC - 0.35%Ni and 0.18% recoverable Ni.
Category | OreType | Tonnage | Commodity | Grade |
Proven
|
Stockpiles
|
4.3 Mt
|
Nickel
|
0.56 %
|
Proven
|
In-Situ (OP)
|
188 Mt
|
Nickel
|
0.55 %
|
Probable
|
Stockpiles
|
1.34 Mt
|
Nickel
|
0.45 %
|
Probable
|
In-Situ (OP)
|
68 Mt
|
Nickel
|
0.58 %
|
Proven & Probable
|
Stockpiles
|
5.7 Mt
|
Nickel
|
0.53 %
|
Proven & Probable
|
In-Situ (OP)
|
256 Mt
|
Nickel
|
0.56 %
|
Measured
|
Stockpiles
|
5.7 Mt
|
Nickel
|
0.53 %
|
Measured
|
In-Situ (OP)
|
270 Mt
|
Nickel
|
0.57 %
|
Indicated
|
In-Situ (OP)
|
174 Mt
|
Nickel
|
0.58 %
|
Inferred
|
In-Situ (OP)
|
194 Mt
|
Nickel
|
0.6 %
|
Total Resource
|
Stockpiles
|
5.7 Mt
|
Nickel
|
0.53 %
|
Total Resource
|
In-Situ (OP)
|
638 Mt
|
Nickel
|
0.58 %
|
Corporate Filings & Presentations:
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News:
Aerial view:
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