Craig Jones, General Manager - Mining of Poseidon Nickel Limited (ASX: POS) joins us on a segment of Rooster Talk Episode 70.
Craig as the General Manager - Mining gives us some thoughts on how the Lake Johnston project will begin its journey to becoming the next nickel mine in Western Australia.
As investors struggle to get a grip on how to view and understand the processes required to move to the mining stage, this is a great conversation for investors to get some clarity. There is always going to be a learning curve for the average investor to know the ins and outs of the story, but getting your favourite beverage and taking the time to watch is a great start.
Craig has a strong focus on preparing all operations in advance of starting up production at Black Swan as well as supporting the multiple exploration programs. He is making sure that all necessary works are in train and in accordance with the blueprint laid out in the BFS prior to the FID. During this preliminary period, he is working on a range of activities associated with launching into the intense phase of works around refurbishing the Black Swan processing facility.
The plant has been in care and maintenance for quite a long time, but Craig has ensured that it has been carefully investigated and has mapped out a program attending to a number of practical matters such as building ventilation rises, having electrical and plumbing infrastructure ready, continuing dewatering of the open pit, getting fuel supplies in place, setting up administrative offices etc.
The ordering of key refurbishment components has also been examined and a process is in place so that orders can be enacted quickly after the FID is announced.
Check out the conversation in this Rooster Talk and, as I always encourage, DYOR.
Chapters:
00:00 The role of the General Manager Mining.
00:59 Comments on the BFS and then asking about placement of POS to move into refurbishing the Black Swan processing plant, post FID and Project Funding/Offtake Agreements.
02:37 From now to June, what is POS undertaking prior to the restart decision?
03:28 Once the Black Swan restart commences, what is an outline of the main steps involved in completing the refurbishment?
04:19 What level of confidence is there in the process of starting up an idle plant?
04:45 After the drilling program at Lake Johnston, a description of the activities and approach to exploration.
05:42 Summary and final comments.
PODCAST
About Craig Jones
General Manager - Mining
Craig Jones is a highly experienced mining executive and qualified mining engineer with more than 28 years’ experience in West Australian underground hard-rock mining within the resource industry. Prior to his appointment in February 2022, he was the Chief Operating Officer for Bellevue Gold where he was instrumental in establishing the restart of the historical operation, leading the feasibility study and an integral team member involved in the financing of the project.
Prior to his most recent role, he held senior roles in operations, mine management and business development for various mining companies including Northern Star Resources. Craig has been instrumental in optimising, integrating and operating underground mines as well as upgrading mill infrastructure and installation of major capital projects at various operations.
Craig has a Bachelor of Engineering (Mining) from the University of Ballarat and holds a WA First Class Mine Manager’s Certificate.
About Poseidon Nickel Limited (ASX: POS)
Poseidon owns three significant nickel assets with a combined resource of over 400kt of nickel and processing capacity of up to 3.7Mtpa of ore to produce nickel concentrate. The Company’s business strategy is focussed on leveraging its existing asset base to grow Poseidon into a significant nickel producer over a period of expected significant growth in nickel demand largely driven by growth in the electric vehicle market.
Poseidon’s strategic pillars are developing a pathway to production, targeted exploration across its nickel asset portfolio and considering proximal business development opportunities. The key enablers for the Company’s strategy to be successfully executed are ensuring key capabilities are resourced and the business is sufficiently funded for growth underpinned by a strong ESG framework.
Poseidon Business Strategy
The Company’s pathway to production was significantly progressed during FY22 with two metallurgical breakthroughs which could significantly improve the economics of the Black Swan project. The first involves incorporating a rougher concentrate regrind into its process flowsheet to significantly improve the quality of the smelter grade concentrate, which is expected to result in improved nickel payability. The second was testwork on a combined serpentinite and talc carbonate ore blend to produce a rougher concentrate which is amenable to both pressure oxidation and high-pressure acid leach to produce a mixed hydroxide precipitate.
With the assistance of Poseidon’s geological consultants, Newexco, the Company completed an exploration targeting report for Lake Johnston during FY22, with follow up reports for Black Swan and Windarra to be delivered in FY23.
The Lake Johnston report identified the Western Ultramafic Unit as a priority, with a program of works approved to undertake 15,000 metres of RC drilling which is planned for FY23.
The Company’s business development efforts over FY22 focused on delivering value from the Windarra/Lancefield gold tailings project. Partnering with Green Gold and determining whether their proprietary gold recovery technology is suitable for Windarra/Lancefield is considered the optimal path to unlocking value from this project.
Disclaimer
The information or opinions provided herein do not constitute investment advice, an offer or solicitation to subscribe for, purchase or sell the investment product(s) mentioned herein. It does not take into consideration, nor have any regard to your specific investment objectives, financial situation, risk profile, tax position and particular, or unique needs and constraints. Read full Disclaimer.
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