Skip to main content

Section: Industry News

Mining licence approved for Ammaroo phosphate project

Austrlai’s Northern Territories Government has approved a mining licence for Verdant Minerals’ Ammaroo phosphate project. The approval follows the granting of two mineral leases in March and represents a critical step towards construction and mining operations at one of the world’s largest phosphate resources. Verdant estimates the value of production over the life of the mine to exceed $15 billion. Verdant says that securing the mining licence puts the project firmly on track to reach a final investment decision and commence construction as early as mid-2027. Located 200 kilometres south-east of Tennant Creek, the Ammaroo phosphate deposit contains more than one billion tonnes of phosphate ore.

Government to limit new nickel projects

The Indonesian government has moved to limit new licenses for nickel projects in an attempt to correct overdevelopment of the industry and the subsequent crash in global nickel prices. The permit restriction applies to new nickel processing companies that produce intermediate products, both with pyrometallurgical (RKEF) and hydrometallurgical (HPAL) technologies. Currently, Indonesia already has 54 nickel processing plants operating, 38 in the construction stage, and 45 are still under planning.

Kalgoorlie secures major project status renewal

Ardea Resources says that its Kalgoorlie Nickel Project in Western Australia has secured a crucial renewal of its major project status from the federal government for another three years, underscoring the project’s strategic importance, granting it streamlined approvals and direct access to the country’s major project facilitation agency. Located 80 km from Kalgoorlie, the project hosts what Ardea says is the world’s largest undeveloped nickel-cobalt resource, containing 854 million tonnes averaging 0.71% (6.1 million tonnes) of nickel and 0.045% (386,000 tonnes) of cobalt.