Mineral exploration company Widgie Nickel has submitted a mining proposal and mine closure plan to the Western Australian Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS).
The submission to the DMIRS is part of the regulatory approval process for the direct shipping ore (DSO) mining operation at the Faraday lithium project, which Widgie Nickel is aiming to start in the second half of 2023 if the DMIRS grants its approval.
The DMIRS-approved DSO at the Faraday project would coincide with the site’s continued exploration works, including the broader Mt Edwards project, to develop a greater understanding of the overall lithium endowment across the company’s tenure.
Additionally, the Faraday project would be one of a small amount of lithium producers in Australia.
The Faraday lithium deposit is a part of the Mt Edwards project, which is located 75 kilometres south of the major regional centre of Kalgoorlie and is 40 kilometres south west of Kambalda, in Western Australia.
The Mt Edwards project is known for its unique consolidation of highly prospective nickel and new economy metal prospects, with 168,080 tonnes of contained nickel across twelve separate nickel sulphide mineral resources having been previously identified.
Widgie Nickel managing director Steve Norregaard said the company and its consultants are continuing to deliver key milestones in relation to the Faraday project.
“Achieving the ambitious timeframe for such an important milestone demonstrates their dedication to the task and willingness to meet the challenge and respond to the market forces at play,” Norregaard said.
“It’s a remarkable achievement for the company to be in such a position within two months of releasing its maiden resource estimate.”