[Ferro-Alloys.com] 

Ardea Resources teams up with Sumitomo, Mitsubishi for nickel project

Ardea Resources said on Monday it signed a binding deal with Japan’s Sumitomo Metal Mining and Mitsubishi Corp to develop the Kalgoorlie nickel project.

Under the agreement, the companies will form a joint venture and fund and conduct a definitive feasibility study to arrive at a final investment decision for the Kalgoorlie nickel project (KNP) – Goongarrie hub, Ardea Resources said in a statement.

The consortium of Sumitomo Metal Mining and Mitsubishi will fund A$98.5 million ($64.42 million) for the costs of the study, thereby earning a 50% stake in the joint venture. Ardea will own the remaining stake in the venture.

“Once in production, the Kalgoorlie nickel project – Goongarrie hub is expected to be one of the largest nickel-cobalt producers in Australia,” Ardea CEO Andrew Penkethman said.

• [Editor:邢亚敏]