Following compelling outcomes from the Ta Khoa Refinery (TKR) Pre-Feasibility Study, Blackstone Minerals Board of Directors has approved the first phase of pilot plant work and the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for the TKR. The first phase of piloting will be designed to process 20kg per hour of nickel concentrate feed and produce approximately 1.75kg per hour of nickel in Nickel:Cobalt: Manganese (NCM) products.
The first phase of piloting will produce various grades of NCM, including NCM622 and NCM811. Early design works have been completed, with procurement of equipment to commence in the current quarter. The first piloting phase will occur in the Son La Province within proximity to the Company’s Ta Khoa Nickel – Cu – PGE Project. The first pilot plant product is expected early in 2022. Test data from piloting will be in support of the TKR DFS. The first phase of piloting and the TKR DFS is fully funded from existing cash reserves.
