Giga Metals Corp. [GIGA-TSXV] has released the results of a prefeasibility study (PFS) prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 for the Turnagain nickel-cobalt project located 70 km east of Dease Lake, northern British Columbia, Canada. Turnagain is owned by Hard Creek Nickel Corp., a joint venture owned by Giga Metals (85%) and Mitsubishi Corp. (15%). All currencies are in U.S. dollars. Highlights include:
Large Long-life Mine: Annual production averaging 37,288 t/y Ni+Co in concentrate over the nominal full operating rate period (Y3 – 28) based on a 30-year project life with an extremely low strip ratio of 0.4 tonnes waste per tonne ore.
Positive Economics: Pre-tax IRR and NPV of 11.1% and $717M (7% discount rate) and post-tax }|
IRR and NPV of 11.4% and $574M at a long-term nickel price of $9.75/lb, with 78% payability for nickel in concentrate.
High-grade Concentrate: Nickel concentrate averaging 18% nickel and 1.1% cobalt with low impurities.
Low-carbon Operation: Scope 1+2 carbon intensity of <1.8 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of niclel in concentrate.
Site Operating Costs: $3.85/lb nickel in concentrate before byproduct credits at mine gate (Y3 – 28 operating period).
“This PFS is a significant step forward for our project which will allow us to advance discussions with potential strategic investors,” said Mark Jarvis, CEO of Giga Metals Corp. “The success of the extensive geometallurgical studies conducted by Blue Coast Research gives confidence in the metallurgical response of the entire deposit. This engineering study shows that the Turnagain Project has a low-risk flow sheet that will consistently and predictably deliver a high-grade, high-quality concentrate similar to concentrates successfully treated by nickel processing companies for decades.”
“We are very pleased to see the positive Pre-Feasibility Study,” said Kota Ikenishi, General Manager of the Battery Minerals Office, Mitsubishi Corp. “We see a nickel project like Turnagain with low carbon intensity in a stable jurisdiction has a key role to play in the future of the nickel industry, in particular for the battery industry. We look forward to Turnagain’s potential to be further verified in works ahead.”
The Pre-Feasibility Study builds on significant metallurgical and engineering studies and confirms the ability of Turnagain to produce high-quality nickel concentrate. Nickel concentrate is expected to be in greater demand for production of nickel products such as mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP), mixed sulphide precipitate (MSP), high nickel content smelter matte or other forms of Class I products. MHP and Class I nickel demand is growing for the electric vehicle (EV) market, particularly materials sourced in a socially and environmentally responsible manner.
For many more details, refer to original company press release.
