Australia-based base metal miner, Panoramic Resources has started ore production at the Savannah nickel project in Western Australia. In April, the company had estimated that operations would begin by August this year but managed to start production ahead of schedule.
The company has set a target to achieve 100,000mt of ore on the surface before turning on the processing plant. The Savannah site will be ready with its first concentrate shipment by December. The early arrival of new equipment coupled, and the successful hiring of technical and underground operators helped the company begin production before the estimated period.
Production works will be ramped up during the second half. The project is likely to achieve optimum capacity by the third quarter of FY22. Mining activities at Savannah are being carried out by underground mining services firm, Barminco, under a four-year contract worth $280mn.
The project highlights the building of a strong momentum towards the production of nickel and copper at a time when commodity market dynamics are favourable, noted Victor Rajasooriar, Panoramic’s Managing Director and CEO.