Direct Nickel Ltd (DNi) has developed what it describes as a “game changing process for extracting nickel from nickel laterite deposits.” It has proven the technical efficiency and potential economic advantages of the DNi process in a locked cycle demonstration plant that employs the full process flowsheet. At the same time, it has established a joint venture partnership with Indonesia’s most prominent nickel company, 65% government-owned PT ANTAM. It now has a dedicated site for the first DNi process plant.

In December 2013, ANTAM and DNi commenced a new feasibility study to estimate the viability of an operation based on Halmahera Island, Indonesia using feed from ANTAM’s Tanjung Buli and other local deposits. This will initially consider a facility producing 20,000 t/y of nickel.

The Direct Nickel Process can also produce the following co-products MgO, Fe2O3, and Al2O3, and the extra revenue these produce will be recognised in the study Based on the 2013 test plant demonstration program, nitric acid consumption is 60 kg/t of ore.