First Quantum Minerals says it will produce first nickel from the restarted Ravensthorpe nickel mine within months.
The Canadian mining firm released its half year operations reports, which stated that re-development of Ravensthorpe is on schedule and pre-commissioning had already begun in the June quarter, The West reports.
Operational teams have already taken control of most of the existing plant, while construction continues on new components.
The miner predicts a six month plant commissioning and production ramp-up, with first commercial nickel output expected before the end of the year.
First Quantum spent $US 192.2 million in the June quarter on developments for Ravensthorpe and its Kevitsa nickel copper project in Finland.
It has not yet announced whether it kept to the $190 million budget for Ravensthorpe modifications.
First Quantum originally bought the mothballed nickel mine from BHP for $US 340 million.
It has forecast an annual production rate of around 28 000 tonnes of nickel for the next 32 years.
Production in the first five years is expected to peak at around 39 000 tonnes.