Why Chalice's Gonneville Nickel-Copper-PGE Project Scoping Study is a Game-Changer for Australia's Mining Industry
Chalice Mining Limited's Scoping Study for the Gonneville Nickel-Copper-PGE Project in Western Australia is a potential game-changer in Australia's mining industry. The study outlined a new, long-life, low-cost, low-carbon green metals mine that could deliver strong financial returns, regional benefits, and significant upside.
World-Class Sustainability Metrics and Strong Leverage for Green Metals
The green metals produced at Gonneville are critical to new decarbonisation technologies such as lithium-ion batteries, electric and hybrid vehicles, renewable energy, and green hydrogen. This production is timely as it addresses forecast shortages. With a low carbon intensity MHP product, Gonneville has a strong case for a future green premium on products. The project has a biodiversity strategy aiming for no net loss of species or habitat diversity as a result of any mining operations.
Potential Socio-Economic Benefits and Opportunities for Indigenous Participation
The study estimates that the project could contribute around A$18 billion to Western Australia's Gross State Product, with peak employment opportunities of around 1,200 jobs during construction and 500 jobs in operations.
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There is a high level of engagement with Traditional Owners of the land, providing significant opportunities for Indigenous participation in the project.
Strong Returns Generated with Significant Upside and Inherent Development Optionality
The Scoping Study demonstrated strong returns on investment with a competitive cost profile. It showcased highly competitive 2nd quartile cash costs with compelling returns generated over the modelled life and a short payback period. The study identified ~90-200Mt of the resource below the ultimate pit shells for the modelled cases that is not included in the analysis, providing potential for open-pit, underground life extension or further exploration. Recent high-grade intersections demonstrate even further upside to the modelled cases. Early high-grade underground development options will be investigated in the next phase of studies.
Future Strategic Partnerships and Targeted Government Support
Chalice is exploring strategic partnerships for the project, and there is strong inbound interest from western automakers, battery manufacturers, trading houses, and large miners. The Gonneville project is strongly aligned with western government policy directives and helps address the critical minerals dominance of China, Russia, South Africa, and Indonesia. As a result, there is a strong case for targeted government support in the form of grants, incentives, or financing.
Formal Commencement of Pre-Feasibility Study and Regulatory Environmental Approval Process
The positive Scoping Study allows for the formal commencement of the Pre-Feasibility Study, targeted for completion in mid-2025. Formal referrals of the project to the Western Australian and Commonwealth Governments are targeted for H1 2024, commencing the regulatory environmental approval process. The Gonneville Nickel-Copper-PGE Project Scoping Study offers an exciting development opportunity for the mining industry in Western Australia, showcasing significant upside and potential for future partnerships, significant socio-economic benefits, whilst delivering green metals critical to new decarbonisation technologies.
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