Mining Approval Received For Araguaia Nickel Project
LONDON, UK - Horizonte Minerals Plc developing two Tier 1 assets in Brazil, has received its mining approval permit for the Araguaia Nickel Project in Brazil. The approval was issued by the Pará State Secretariat for Environment and Sustainability (SEMAS) and enables Horizonte to commence its mining activities, with initial work underway to establish ore stockpiles on the ROM pad ahead of the commissioning phase. The approval enables the Company to mine, stockpile, and categorise ore, optimising the consistency of the feedstock, a process required to mitigate risk during commissioning which is a key part of the mine-to-mill strategy. Over the course of the next six months, stockpiles will be established, with sufficient ore to feed the plant for the subsequent six months. The Pequizeiro Pit, located 750 metres from the plant site, will be the primary source of ore to Araguaia, supplying the first two years of the Project's mine life and contributing over 50% of the mine production for the first ten years.
Jeremy Martin, CEO, said, “I am pleased to announce the approval to begin mining activities at Araguaia, another important milestone for Horizonte. The approval allows ore to be mined and stockpiled with the aim of mitigating a key commissioning risk as part of our mine-to-mill strategy ahead of the plant start-up next year. The Horizonte team continues to work closely with SEMAS and other local stakeholders, towards delivering long-term sustainable value for all involved in this new tier 1 nickel project."