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Exploration and development company FPX
Nickel said on Monday that it would initiate a scoping study for a Canadian
refinery with the capacity to produce 32 000 t/y of nickel in sulphate.
The scoping study would build on the
results of a value engineering study for the Baptiste project and would
incorporate the outcomes of an ongoing pilot-scale hydrometallurgical testwork
programme, FPX said in a statement.
The scoping study is set for completion in
the first quarter of 2025.
"Our refinery value engineering
studies have substantially improved the business case and reduced the risk
profile for a standalone refinery to convert awaruite concentrate into
battery-grade nickel sulphate," commented senior VP of projects and
operations Andrew Osterloh.
The Baptiste 2023 prefeasibility study
demonstrates the potential to develop a high-margin and low-carbon nickel mine
producing an average of 59 100 t/y of nickel over a 29-year mine life. Owing to
awaruite's properties, Baptiste has the flexibility to produce a high-grade
concentrate (60% nickel) for either direct feed into the stainless steel
industry or for further refining into battery-grade nickel and cobalt products
for the electric vehicle battery supply chain.
"Awaruite presents an unparalleled
opportunity to significantly expand North America's battery material supply
chain, all without the need to either displace or add smelting capacity. As we
close out our value engineering for Baptiste, we are excited at the new value
basis for our large-scale, long-life, high-margin, and low-carbon
project," said Osterloh.
The refinery will be located in an urban
setting in central British Columbia, benefitting from the infrastructure,
services and labour which would be available at an integrated battery material
processing hub.
Earlier this month, British Columbia
selected the Baptiste project to be part of its newly established Critical
Minerals Office (CMO) concierge service initiative.
The CMO will be a key entry point into the
natural resource sector agencies and provide centralised support for the
advancement of critical minerals projects such as Baptiste, and to leverage
potential project funding opportunities from provincial and federal sources.