Mincor Resources says the definitive feasibility study (DFS) for the integrated nickel restart plan at its Kambalda assets in Western Australia progressed well during the December quarter, with mining contractor awards expected to occur soon.

The restart will operate in two distinct areas: the Northern Operations (Long and Durkin mines) and the Southern Operations (Cassini and Miitel mines).

Mining contract tender pricing updates for the Southern Operations were received in late December and are currently under review, while, for the Northern Operations, updated mining inventory, mine design, mine schedules and contractor pricing are expected this month for assessment, Mincor said. A tender for surface haulage was sent to contractors for pricing, with submissions also expected this month.

During the quarter, Mincor progressed the pricing for an early capital works program at Cassini, which includes minimal site clearance and a box-cut. A decision on the award of this contract is expected shortly, it said.

The DFS, meanwhile, is still expected to be delivered this quarter.

Following the completion of the updated Cassini mineral resource in November, the total nickel resources across Mincor’s Kambalda tenements now stands at 4.9 Mt at 3.8% Ni for 187,900 t of nickel.

In October at the Paydirt 2019 Australian Nickel Conference in Perth, Western Australia, Mincor Resources’ David Southam said the restart of the Kambalda nickel mine would act as a “global showcase” for all-electric underground light vehicles.