The Western Australian Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) has conditionally approved the commencement of mining operations at Widgie Nickel’s Faraday deposit.
The approval from DMIRS is in accordance with the plans submitted by Widgie Nickel in May for the proposed direct shipping ore (DSO) mining operation at the Faraday deposit in May.
Widgie Nickel aimed to start the DSO mining operation at Faraday in the second half of 2023 if the DMIRS granted its approval. The DMIRS granted its approval on the subject to two key conditions precedent being met.
The first is that Widgie Nickel must complete a flora survey within the disturbance envelope with the results being provided to DMIRS prior to the commencement of any developmental or productive mining or construction activity.
The second is that clearance as prescribed under the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2021 over the proposed footprint is obtained for the purposes of mining as opposed to exploration.
Widgie Nickel managing director Steve Norregaard reacted to the Faraday milestone.
“Widgie has met a further key project milestone for the Faraday project and within 12 months of first stepping on the ground, we now have a shovel ready mining project,” Norregaard said.
“The Widgie team’s lithium aspirations are nearing reality. The team and its consultants have done an amazing job in getting the fast-tracked Faraday development to this point. Achieving the ambitious timeframe for such an important milestone demonstrates the company’s resolve and desire to realise value for shareholders.”
The approval from the DMIRS arrives a couple of days after Widgie Nickel announced that the Faraday deposit received a big metallurgical response.
