Giga Metals Corp. (TSX.V: GIGA) ("
Giga
Metals" or the "
Company") today announced
the results of a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) prepared in accordance
with National Instrument 43-101 for the Turnagain Nickel-Cobalt
Project located in British Columbia, Canada. Turnagain is owned by
Hard Creek Nickel Corp, a joint venture owned by Giga Metals (85%)
and Mitsubishi Corporation (15%). All currencies are in US$.
- Large
Long-life Mine: Annual production averaging 37,288 t/y
Ni+Co in concentrate over the nominal full operating rate period
(Y3 – 28) based on a 30-year project life with an
extremely low strip ratio of 0.4 tonnes waste per tonne ore
-
Positive Economics: Pre-tax IRR and NPV of 11.1%
and $717M (7% discount rate) and post-tax IRR and NPV of 11.4% and
$574M at a long-term nickel price of $9.75/lb, with 78% payability
for nickel in concentrate
-
High-grade Concentrate: Nickel concentrate
averaging 18% Ni and 1.1% Co with low impurities
-
Low-carbon Operation: Scope 1+2 carbon intensity
of <1.8 tonnes of CO2 per tonne of Ni in concentrate
- Site
Operating Costs: $3.85/lb Ni in concentrate before
byproduct credits at mine gate (Y3 – 28 operating
period)
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“This PFS is a significant step forward for our
project which will allow us to advance discussions with potential
strategic investors,” said Mark Jarvis, CEO of Giga Metals
Corp. “The success of the extensive geometallurgical studies
conducted by Blue Coast Research gives confidence in the
metallurgical response of the entire deposit. This engineering
study shows that the Turnagain Project has a low-risk flow sheet
that will consistently and predictably deliver a high-grade,
high-quality concentrate similar to concentrates successfully
treated by nickel processing companies for decades.”
“We are very pleased to see the positive
Pre-Feasibility Study,” said Kota Ikenishi, General Manager of the
Battery Minerals Office, Mitsubishi Corporation. “We see a nickel
project like Turnagain with low carbon intensity in a stable
jurisdiction has a key role to play in the future of the nickel
industry, in particular for the battery industry. We look forward
to Turnagain’s potential to be further verified in works
ahead.”
The Pre-Feasibility Study builds on significant
metallurgical and engineering studies and confirms the ability of
Turnagain to produce high-quality nickel concentrate. Nickel
concentrate is expected to be in greater demand for production of
nickel products such as mixed hydroxide precipitate (“MHP”), mixed
sulphide precipitate (“MSP”), high nickel content smelter matte or
other forms of Class I products. MHP and Class I nickel demand is
growing for the electric vehicle (EV) market, particularly
materials sourced in a socially and environmentally responsible
manner.
The PFS has been led and prepared by Tetra Tech
Canada Inc. (Tetra Tech), a global consulting and engineering firm
with substantial expertise in the mining sector, along with input
from industry expert consultants (see Qualified Persons list at
end). Giga Metals’ primary driver for this update was to deliver a
reliable and comprehensive PFS incorporating all project-related
components for discussion with potential strategic partners and
communities, targeting improvement opportunities, and serving as a
basis for future engineering and environmental studies. All
currencies are in US$ using an exchange rate of US$1.00 = C$1.30
and all production and cost data are typical full operating year
(average of years 3 - 28) unless otherwise indicated.
Giga Metals expects to file the Technical Report
for the PFS prepared in accordance with the requirements of
National Instrument 43–101 on SEDAR+ within 45 days of this news
release, including a description of the updated Mineral Resource
Estimate and the Mineral Reserve Estimate. For readers to fully
understand the information in this news release, they should read
the Technical Report in its entirety, including all qualifications,
assumptions and exclusions that relate to the PFS. The Technical
Report is intended to be read as a whole, and sections should not
be read or relied upon out of context.
SummaryThe PFS demonstrates a
long-life, large-scale project that will deliver high-grade nickel
sulphide concentrate with no significant deleterious impurities,
into commercially proven processes such as pyrometallurgical
smelters or hydrometallurgical refining using pressure oxidation
facilities. The project has notable responsible mining
characteristics beyond the low-carbon production including the
following.
- Sequestration of CO2 through
naturally occurring mineral carbonation, transforming the Tailings
Management Facility (TMF) into a permanent carbon mineralization
facility
- Safe and efficient tailings storage
using centreline and downstream tailings dams in sub-aerial valley
impoundment
- Near-neutral water balance
- Located in a well-regulated and
experienced mining jurisdiction that has adopted First Nations’
rights to achieve informed consent during the permitting
process
The key production and cost outcomes of the PFS
are provided in the table below. Typical values are annual or
weight-averaged by processing plant feed or nickel production, as
appropriate. Site operating costs include all direct operating
costs and G&A. Net operating costs are inclusive of transport
to the destination port (assumed Asia) and net payment for
contained cobalt and platinum-group elements byproducts after
typical deductions and charges. Sustaining capital costs include
ongoing TMF development, mining equipment, plant and infrastructure
capital equipment replacement, and closure-related costs, net of
salvage value.
|
Typical Annual(Y3-28
Average) |
Life-of-Mine(LOM) |
Ore Processed (Mt) |
32.85 |
931.2 |
Nickel Grade (%) |
0.207 |
0.205 |
Nickel Recovery (%) |
51.8 |
51.4 |
Nickel Production (t in concentrate) |
35,224 |
982,471 |
Cobalt Production (t in concentrate) |
2,064 |
57,954 |
Site Operating Cost ($M) |
$298.7 |
$8,415 |
($/t ore) |
$9.09 |
$9.04 |
($/lb Ni in concentrate) |
$3.85 |
$3.89 |
Net Operating Cost ($/lb Ni in concentrate) |
$3.63 |
$3.66 |
C1 Operating Cost ($/lb payable Ni) |
$4.65 |
$4.70 |
Capital Cost (construction, $M) |
--- |
$1,893 |
Sustaining Capital ($M) including closure |
--- |
$1,643 |
At projected long-term metals prices of
$21,500/t Ni ($9.75/lb) and $58,500/t Co ($26.54/lb) and
smelter terms of 78% and 50% payment, respectively, Turnagain is
expected to have a pre-tax IRR and NPV of 11.1% and $717M, and a
post-tax IRR and NPV of 11.4% and $574M, respectively. The three
price cases below are 7%, 19%, and 32% below the 20-year
inflation-adjusted average price of $26,700/t Ni,
respectively. No price consideration related to environmental,
social and governance (ESG) metrics or ally-shoring aspects have
been applied. Other sensitivity parameters have a smaller
effect.
Sensitivity Analysis |
High Price Case*+(15%) |
Base Case |
Low Price Case*-(15%) |
Nickel Price ($/t) |
$24,725/t$11.22/lb |
$21,500/t$9.75/lb |
$18,275/t$8.29/lb |
IRR (pre-tax) |
15.2% |
11.1% |
6.2% |
IRR (post-tax) |
14.9% |
11.4% |
7.2% |
NPV ($M, pre-tax)** |
$1,552 |
$717 |
-$117 |
NPV ($M, post-tax)** |
$1,112 |
$574 |
$21 |
* nickel price variation only ** at 7%
discount rate
Note: The post-tax IRR is higher than the
pre-tax value in some cases due to the impact of the Canadian
refundable Clean Technology Manufacturing Investment Tax
Credit.
PFS Major Components
Geology and Mineralogy The Turnagain Project is
hosted in the Turnagain ultramafic complex, with predominantly
dunite-serpentinite-wehrlite mineralization. Showings of
semi-massive and massive sulphides have been identified by work to
date. These semi-massive and massive zones, plus broad zones of
disseminated sulphides, are generally hosted by dunite and wehrlite
near the southern and eastern margins of the ultramafic body.
Primary sulphide minerals consist of pyrrhotite and pentlandite
with minor chalcopyrite. Interstitial and blebby sulphides, with
grain sizes ranging from 1 to 4 mm, are evident in widespread
disseminated zones seen in drill cores.
Mineral Resource Estimate The
mineral resource released in October 2022 has been updated through
revised modeling. The PFS mineral resource is shown below. This
resource estimate includes the potentially mineable
Horsetrail-Northwest-Duffy and Hatzl zones (north and south of
Turnagain River, respectively) and excludes the resources located
under the Turnagain River and within an assumed ecological offset
boundary. Approximately 95% of the Measured and Indicated Resources
lie in the Horsetrail-Northwest-Duffy zones north of the Turnagain
River that are the focus of the current mine plan.
Turnagain Nickel-Cobalt Project Mineral
Resource Summary1,2,3,4,5
Classification |
Tonnage (Mt) |
Ni Grade (%) |
Co Grade (%) |
Pd Grade(gpt) |
Pt Grade (gpt) |
Contained Ni (kt) |
Measured |
454.6 |
0.215 |
0.014 |
0.023 |
0.022 |
1,020 |
Indicated |
1,119.4 |
0.207 |
0.013 |
0.019 |
0.021 |
2,360 |
Measured & Indicated |
1,573.9 |
0.210 |
0.013 |
0.020 |
0.022 |
3,381 |
Inferred |
1,163.8 |
0.206 |
0.012 |
0.016 |
0.018 |
2,405 |
- All mineral resources have been
estimated in accordance with Canadian Institute of Mining and
Metallurgy and Petroleum definitions, as required under National
Instrument 43-101.
- Mineral resources are reported in
relation to a conceptual pit shell in order to demonstrate
reasonable expectation of eventual economic extraction, as required
under NI 43-101; mineralisation lying outside of these pit shells
is not reported as a mineral resource. Mineral resources are
not mineral reserves & do not have demonstrated economic
viability.
- Open pit mineral resources are
reported at a cut-off grade of 0.1% Ni. Cut-off grades are based on
a nickel price of $9.00 per pound, nickel recoveries of 60%,
mineralized material and waste mining costs of $2.80, along with
milling, processing and G&A costs of $7.20.
- Inferred mineral resources are
considered too speculative geologically to have economic
considerations applied to them that would enable them to be
categorised as mineral reserves. However, it is reasonably expected
that the majority of inferred mineral resources could be upgraded
to indicated.
- Due to rounding, numbers presented
may not add up precisely to the totals provided and percentages my
not precisely reflect absolute figures.
The mineral resources are contained in a large,
contiguous, near-surface deposit amenable to large-scale open-pit
mining techniques. This mineral resource is based on 254 Turnagain
area drill holes completed from 2002 through 2021 including both
resource and geotechnical drill holes in the ultramafic
intrusive.
Mineral ReservesMineral
reserves have been determined by Tetra Tech based on development of
optimized pits following geotechnical guidance from BGC
Engineering. Pit optimization was done using the Lerchs-Grossman
optimizer in DatamineTM, with PFS metallurgical recovery algorithms
and mining, process, G&A, and concentrate shipping and
marketing costs. A sustaining capital allowance was added to ensure
that the optimized pit respected the cash flow considerations of
regular mining equipment replacement and tailings management
construction. An offset was applied to the Turnagain River boundary
considering modelled flood scenarios for both environmental
preservation and infrastructure integrity.
The ultimate pit was developed from optimization
of the net present value for nested cone shells respecting the
physical and economic constraints including consideration of pit
road widths and angles for the recommended mining equipment.
Internal dilution to the large, disseminated ore
body is modeled into the block model. Additional dilution and
losses have been considered as a 2-metre loss of ore and 2-metre
inclusion of waste at the ore-waste interfaces. An additional 1%
mining loss was included to account for ore unmined, spilled, and
improperly delivered to waste.
The Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves are
given below. The mineral resources in the Hatzl zone have not been
included in the mine plan and Reserves.
Turnagain Nickel-Cobalt Project Mineral
Reserve Summary1,2,3,4,5,6
Classification |
Tonnage (Mt) |
Ni Grade(%) |
Co Grade(%) |
Pd Grade(gpt) |
Pt Grade (gpt) |
Contained Ni(kt) |
Proven |
408.1 |
0.219 |
0.013 |
0.024 |
0.022 |
894 |
Probable |
542.4 |
0.194 |
0.012 |
0.020 |
0.022 |
1,055 |
Total |
950.5 |
0.205 |
0.013 |
0.022 |
0.022 |
1,949 |
Notes:
- The Mineral Reserve estimates were
prepared with reference to the 2014 Canadian Institute of Mining,
Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) Definition Standards (2014 CIM
Definition Standards) and the 2019 CIM Best Practice
Guidelines.
- Reserves estimated assuming open
pit mining methods.
- Reserves are reported on a dry
in-situ basis.
- Reserves are based on a nickel
price of US $21,500/t, cobalt price of US $58,500/t, ore mining
cost of $2.24/t mined, waste mining cost $2.41/t mined, mining
sustaining capital of $0.57/t mined, milling costs of $5.35/t ore
feed to process plant, TMF sustaining capital of $0.70/t ore feed,
and G&A cost of $0.76/t ore feed.
- Mineral Reserves are mined tonnes
and grade including consideration for a 2-m dilution width between
ore-waste contact and 1% mining losses.
- Ore-waste cut-off was based on
$6.63/t of NSR.
MetallurgyNumerous phases of
testing have been conducted on Turnagain samples over the past two
decades. Since 2011, work has focused on the production of
high-grade nickel sulphide concentrates. More recent work has been
conducted on samples from throughout the Horsetrail and Northwest
zones which are the focus of the current mine plan. A significant
geometallurgical testwork campaign was concluded in 2023, featuring
70 samples of different lithologies, grades, and locations
comprising materials representing waste through a range of ore
qualities.
Comminution Samples from the Turnagain deposit
have undergone extensive small-scale comminution testing including
crushing, semi-autogenous grinding (SAG), high-pressure grinding
roll (HPGR) piston press testing, milling (Bond ball and rod), and
abrasion index testing. Turnagain samples have also been processed
successfully through a pilot-scale HPGR unit at the NBK Institute
of Mining Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver,
BC. Turnagain ore is hard and resistant to SAG milling but is
amenable to HPGR crushing making this an attractive comminution
technology for the project. The HPGR pilot plant testing showed
good results at low operating pressure and power consumption with
negligible dust generation.
MineralogyThe host rock is comprised primarily
of serpentine, olivine, and clinopyroxene. The full
geometallurgical sampling campaign showed average values of 53%
serpentine, 30% olivine, and 2.2% pyroxenes. Ratios of serpentine
to olivine vary across the deposit, with the total of the two
dominant minerals typically 80-90%. Talc was essentially absent
from about 95% of the samples analyzed, with the median content
<0.1%.
Nickel occurs in both sulphide and non-sulphide
form, with an average 67% of the nickel in the sulphide form. The
fraction of nickel in the sulphide form as well as the grain size
and degree of liberation is related to the sulphur content of the
host rocks at lower sulphur levels, above which the relationships
are weak. More than 99% of the sulphide nickel is hosted in nickel
sulphide minerals (pentlandite, finely disseminated nickel
sulphides, millerite, and heazlewoodite), with pyrrhotite hosting
less than 1% of the nickel. The variability in nickel deportment
between sulphide and non-sulphide forms is the primary driver
behind nickel recovery to concentrate.
Mineral Recovery The Turnagain ore is amenable
to simple froth flotation, generally yielding high recoveries of
the liberated sulphide minerals to high-grade concentrates. The
flotation flowsheet adopted for this study includes grinding to 80%
passing 80 µm followed by rougher, cleaner, and cleaner-scavenger
flotation. Reagents are simple and conventional for nickel
flotation, including a collector, dispersant, and frother.
Flotation is conducted at natural pH, avoiding the use of
pH-control chemicals in the flotation circuit. High selectivity has
been achieved between pentlandite and pyrrhotite, and combined with
high gangue rejection, high-grade nickel concentrates are
consistently achieved.
The geometallurgical program completed for the
PFS has provided significant de-risking by developing more precise
recovery algorithms for the Turnagain minerals. Flotation recovery
from all samples has been well correlated with the ratio of
measured sulphide nickel to total nickel. The ability of a single
algorithm to predict recovery with high accuracy is a significant
achievement for the project.
Mining The Turnagain open-pit
deposit will be developed using large haul trucks (227 t
capacity), loaders, and electric shovels to minimize unit costs.
Proven trolley-assist technology and autonomous haulage technology
have been selected for reduced total costs and environmental
footprint. The mining operations are scheduled for a 28-year mine
production period to support a 30-year processing plant operating
period, and include the Horsetrail, Northwest, and Duffy
mineralized areas (collectively, the Horsetrail zone). The orebody
is mined as a single main pit with five pushback phases through the
life of mine and a small satellite pit for the Duffy zone. Overall
main pit dimensions are approximately 2 km x 1.5 km.
Turnagain Ultimate Pit Design – Oblique
View
Source: Tetra Tech
The mine plan will deliver an annual processing
plant feed rate of 32.85 Mt/y (90 kt/d) after the installation of
the second processing train in Year 1. The resource will be
selectively mined with low-grade materials placed on a low-grade
ore stockpile (LGS) for later recovery. The maximum low-grade
ore stockpile size has been reduced by 82% from the 2020
Preliminary Economic Assessment to 34 Mt, which represents an
approach that accounts for regulatory expectations to minimize
stockpiling as well as practical mining operations. The rate
of mining (total material) by pushback is shown in the figure
below.
Turnagain Mining Plan
Source: Tetra Tech
The Turnagain deposit has a very low strip
ratio, averaging 0.23 over the first 10 years of mine life and 0.41
life-of-mine. This includes 53 Mt of Inferred Resources which are
classified as waste. This low strip ratio reduces mine size,
operating and capital costs, and associated environmental impacts.
Waste rock and low-grade stockpile ore will be placed in dedicated
facilities located near the mine.
Processing Processing of
Turnagain ore is conventional. The processing plant (see simplified
process flow diagram below) will consist of the following.
- A primary
crusher followed by two trains of closed-circuit secondary crushing
and HPGRs.
- Two grinding
trains, each comprising two closed-circuit ball mills in
series.
- Two rougher
flotation trains, each comprising two banks of rougher cells.
- Two trains of
three-stage cleaning circuits plus cleaner-scavenger
flotation.
- Concentrate
thickening and 2 trains of pressure filtration.
- Associated
utility and reagent systems.
Simplified Processing
Flowsheet
Source: Tetra Tech
The processing plant will be installed in
slightly offset stages to maximize the efficiency of construction
and commissioning. The second processing train will be installed
and commissioned parallel to the first train in the first full year
of operations. The primary crusher is located adjacent to the mine
to reduce haul distances and the crushed ore is conveyed to the
processing facility located across the Turnagain River and above
the TMF. This allows for energy-efficient conveying of crushed ore
and eliminates high-pressure pumping of slurries. All equipment
selected is commercial-scale industry-standard, including
mechanical flotation cells.
Turnagain concentrate is expected to be high
grade, averaging 18% nickel and 1.1% cobalt, with low levels of
deleterious impurities. Iron, sulphur, and magnesium are expected
to be within typical ranges for smelter operation, with nominally
30-35% iron, 20-25% sulphur, and 4-6% magnesium.
Infrastructure On-site The site
will include all necessary infrastructure for operation of the
facility, including a camp for workers (rotational basis);
administration, lab, fuel distribution, and maintenance facilities;
and waste management facilities. Worker transport is planned as
charter flights with bus transport from the Dease Lake airport.
Off-site Primary off-site infrastructure
requirements are an access road upgrade and a hydroelectric
transmission line to connect the mine to the existing BC Hydro
grid.
The PFS has allowed for substantial upgrades to
the existing Boulder access trail providing an approximate
78 km approach from Highway 37 near Dease Lake to the project
site, including three clear-span bridges. This access route is
shared with other potential projects, minimizing impacts if
multiple projects in the area proceed.
The PFS has also allowed for a project-funded
160 km extension of the existing 287 kV Northwest
Transmission Line to the project site. This will deliver clean
low-carbon electricity to the project, allowing the production of
nickel in concentrate with a very low carbon footprint. The
extended power line could provide further community and economic
development opportunities in the mineral-rich northwest region of
British Columbia.
No allowance has been taken in the capital
estimate for external funding of the off-site infrastructure.
Tailings Management Tailings
management options were reviewed by Tetra Tech in a prior study
using multiple accounts methods. Slurry deposition in an engineered
TMF in the Flat Creek Valley was recommended as the design case due
to the good balance of ecosystem disturbance, life-of mine water
balance, and storage efficiency to safely store tailings for the
proposed life of mine (and additional resources, if required).
The main tailings dam construction is planned
with a downstream construction starter dam and centreline raises.
The smaller saddle dam at the south end of the valley is planned
utilizing the downstream construction method. Construction is
costed using purposely-quarried material to ensure that dam
construction is not negatively impacted by the sequencing of
construction and mining operations.
Tailings will gravity-flow to the TMF in slurry
pipelines, reducing overall power consumption. The tailings
material will be deposited in a planned manner to maximize dam
stability and maintain a process water pond farther away from the
dam structure, from which return water will be pumped to the
processing plant. This will reduce the water table and improve the
TMF physical stability. The TMF will largely operate as a
sub-aerial facility, maintaining a suitable process water pond for
uninterrupted operations.
Social and Environment The
Turnagain project is located in the traditional territories of the
Tahltan and Kaska Dena, just east of the western boundary of Treaty
8. Giga Metals has established positive engagements with the
Tahltan and Kaska Dena Nations and will continue respectful and
ongoing engagements. British Columbia and Canada have enacted
legislation to implement the United Nations Declaration on the
Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP).
Canada has robust environmental permitting
processes, including assessment of environmental and social
impacts. The project is expected to be subject to both provincial
and federal reviews of an environmental impact assessment (EIA),
which should be conducted in one review process through a
substitution agreement between the provincial and federal agencies.
This process will involve consultations with the public and First
Nations, as well as detailed studies of baseline environmental
settings and an assessment of potential project impacts. Baseline
environmental studies to support the EIA process were initiated in
2004 and are ongoing.
Geochemistry studies show low to moderate acid
generating potential in the waste, low-grade stockpile ore, and
tailings. Short-term leaching tests have been conducted on a
variety of ore and waste rock types. Only pyroxenite rock types –
expected to be a minor component of the waste and low-grade
stockpiles - have been provisionally classified as PAG (potentially
acid generating), with most mineralized material provisionally
classified as non-PAG. Short-term leaching tests of “run-of-mine”
and “high-sulphur” tailings samples resulted in pH within
guidelines and few exceedances of surface water quality guidelines.
Further testing of a variety of materials will be required in the
next stage of work.
Water runoff from the stockpile, seepage from
the TMF, and pit water will be collected for re-use or treated for
release, as appropriate. Water intercepts will be used above the
TMF, stockpile, and pit to collect precipitation and either divert
it into the facility for plant water balance purposes or divert it
around the operational area for return to the environment. Sewage
and domestic waste will be treated in on-site facilities.
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions
The Turnagain project will have very low carbon emissions while
producing nickel in concentrate for conversion to electric vehicle
(EV) batteries or Class 1 nickel through existing or new processing
techniques. EV manufacturers have expressed keen interest in clean,
responsibly sourced battery metals. Tetra Tech has designed the
project to minimize GHG emissions, using trolley-assist haul trucks
and autonomous operation to reduce GHG emissions. The project is
estimated to produce nickel in concentrate with a GHG footprint
(Scope 1 and Scope 2) of <1.8 t/t Ni. Future mining
equipment developments, such as battery-electric or fuel-cell
powered vehicles which are already in testing phases, offer the
potential to further reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions. The
measures already taken are consistent with future deep
decarbonization efforts.
The sub-aerial TMF will expose the ground
tailings material to the air. Ultramafic tailings are known to be
reactive with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, transforming
magnesium hydroxide and silicate minerals into carbon-bearing
minerals, permanently sequestering carbon dioxide. This process
also has the potential to strengthen the deposited tailings as it
occurs by inter-particle bridging. Giga Metals has sponsored
research into the carbonation behaviour of Turnagain ores with Dr
Greg Dipple at the University of British Columbia to demonstrate
the carbonation and develop methods of improving and quantifying
sequestration. No credit for carbon sequestration has been
assumed.
Optimization of mine-site emissions coupled with
enhancements to mineral carbonation could allow Turnagain to be a
carbon-neutral mine.
Marketing and Revenues Product
pricing information is based on a combination of public data and a
market study completed for Giga Metals by Benchmark Minerals
Intelligence Ltd (“Benchmark”). Benchmark forecasts a significant
increase in nickel demand over the coming decades, with 1 Mt/y
of increased nickel demand for stainless steel and 3.3 Mt/y of
increased demand for battery applications by 2040. The compound
annual growth rate for batteries of 13% is expected to have battery
applications consuming 49% of total nickel demand by 2040 within a
total market growth of 4.6 Mt/y to a 7.6 Mt/y total nickel market.
This growth requires approximately 120 new nickel projects of 38
kt/y capacity by 2040, before accounting for declines in existing
operations. The expected long-term price for nickel is $21,500/t
(LME Class I basis), well below the 20-yr inflation-adjusted
average price of $26,700/t Ni.
Cobalt demand is expected to rise similarly to
nickel, for use in batteries and other energy transition
applications as well as in more traditional uses such as super
alloys. Benchmark forecasts a long-term cobalt metal price of
$58,577/t, slightly below the 20-yr inflation-adjusted price of
$60,000/t.
Benchmark conducted a review of smelter terms
and recommended nickel payables at 78%, with cobalt payables in the
range of 40-60%. No benefit has been assumed for the high grade of
Turnagain nickel concentrate; at 18% nickel, the concentrate is
higher-grade than other commercial nickel concentrates1. Turnagain
concentrate at 1.1% cobalt may achieve payability in the upper part
of the identified range, but the financial analysis uses the
midpoint.
The Turnagain concentrate has relatively low
payability for platinum and palladium. The concentrate also has low
copper levels for which no credit has been assumed. A smelter MgO
penalty framework has been applied to the financial model to
account for the expected MgO level of Turnagain concentrates.
Although North American-based nickel and cobalt
with high ESG characteristics (particularly low GHG footprint) is
expected to be in high demand for the domestic North American
battery industry, no premium has been assumed for the location and
ESG profile of the project.
Operating Cost The operating
cost estimate for the project has been developed by Tetra Tech
based on the engineering design and metallurgical testing. The site
operating cost estimate is shown below, in $/t ore feed to the
processing plant with the final values converted to $/lb nickel
production. Concentrate shipping ($189/wmt concentrate CIF Asia)
and concentrate marketing costs are added and byproduct credits are
subtracted to develop the net operating cost. Delivery to treatment
facilities in North America is also viable with a rail terminal
<100 km further than the assumed port.
Operating Cost Summary |
Units |
Typical Annual(Y3-28
Average) |
Mining |
$/t plant feed |
3.02 |
Processing |
$/t plant feed |
5.29 |
Site G&A and Infrastructure |
$/t plant feed |
0.78 |
Site operating cost |
$/t plant feed |
9.09 |
Site operating cost |
$/lb Ni in concentrate |
3.85 |
Concentrate shipping and marketing costs |
$/lb Ni in concentrate |
0.61 |
Byproduct credits/penalties |
$/lb Ni in concentrate |
-0.83 |
Net operating cost |
$/lb Ni in concentrate |
3.63 |
Net operating cost (C1) |
$/lb payable Ni |
4.65 |
Capital Cost The capital cost
estimate for the project has been developed by Tetra Tech based on
the engineering design completed internally and with specialized
input from Kerr Wood Leidal (power transmission line design). The
cost estimate is shown below. The cost estimate is Class 4, with an
expected accuracy of +25%/-25%.
Sustaining capital for the project, including
ongoing TMF construction (dam lifts), mining equipment, processing
plant and infrastructure, and closure costs are shown following the
construction capital. Spread over the 30 operational years, the
annual sustaining capital costs are expected to average less than
$60M per year.
Construction Capital |
Cost, $M |
Site Preparation and Site Roads |
30 |
Mining |
132 |
Processing Plant |
623 |
Tailings and Water Management |
177 |
On-site Infrastructure |
123 |
Off-site Infrastructure |
179 |
Total Direct Costs |
1,265 |
Indirects |
374 |
Contingency |
177 |
Owner's Cost |
39 |
Total Construction Capital |
1,855 |
Capitalized Pre-production Stripping |
38 |
Total Initial Capital |
1,893 |
Sustaining Capital |
LOM Cost, $M |
Mining |
666 |
Tailings Management Facility |
617 |
On-site Infrastructure |
55 |
Total Sustaining Capital Direct Costs |
1,338 |
Indirects |
61 |
Contingency |
165 |
Closure and Reclamation Bonding |
78 |
Total Sustaining Capital |
1,643 |
Qualified Persons The PFS
contributors below prepared or supervised the preparation of
information that forms the basis of the PFS disclosure in this news
release.
Lyle Trytten, P.Eng., Manager of Development for
Giga Metals Corp, is a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101.
Mr. Trytten has reviewed and approved the technical content of this
news release.
The following persons are responsible for
specific inputs into the PFS:
- Garth
Kirkham, P.Geo., Kirkham Geosystems Ltd.: geological
modelling, mineral resource estimates
- Maurie
Marks, P.Eng., Tetra Tech Canada Inc.: mining methods,
mineral reserve estimates, mining capital and operating cost
estimates
- Ian
Stillwell, P.Eng., BGC Engineering: mine and stockpile
geotechnical design
-
Matthew Cleary, P.Geo., BGC Engineering:
hydrogeology
- Chris
Martin, C.Eng., Sacanus Holdings Ltd: metallurgical
testing, process design
-
Jianhui (John) Huang, P.Eng., Tetra Tech Canada
Inc.: recovery methods, process-site services-G&A
operating costs, and economic analysis
- David
Moschini, P.Eng., Tetra Tech Canada Inc.: site water
management
-
Bereket Fisseha, P.Eng., Tetra Tech Canada Inc.:
tailings management
- Ron
Monk, M.Eng., P.Eng., Kerr Wood Leidal Associates Ltd:
power supply design
- Hassan
Ghaffari, P.Eng., Tetra Tech Canada Inc: other project
infrastructure, overall capital cost estimates, marketing study,
and environment
About Giga Metals Corporation
Giga Metals Corporation’s core asset is the Turnagain Project,
located in northern British Columbia, which contains one of the few
significant undeveloped sulphide nickel and cobalt resources in the
world. Turnagain is held in Hard Creek Nickel, a subsidiary owned
85% by Giga Metals Corporation and 15% by Mitsubishi
Corporation.
Forward looking statements
Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking
statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding
the Turnagain Project. Forward-looking statements consist of
statements that are not purely historical, including any statements
regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the
future. Any statements that express or involve discussions with
respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections,
objectives or future events or performance (often, but not always,
using words or phrases such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan",
"continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project",
"predict", "forecast", "potential", "target", "intend", "could",
"might", "should", "believe" and similar expressions) are not
statements of historical fact and may be "forward‐looking
statements". Such statements in this news release include, but are
not limited to, statements with respect to the future potential
economic viability of the Project,, the estimation of mineral
resources, mineral reserves and mineral prices, steps to be taken
towards commercialization of the Project, the timing and amount of
estimated future production and capital, operating and exploration
expenditures and include, for greater certainty, all estimates in
the PFS such as the cash, flow, IRR, NPV's, initial capital and
life of mine production. Such statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or
developments to differ materially from those contained in the
statements. No assurance can be given that any of the events
anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if
they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them.
These forward-looking statements reflect management's current views
made in light of management's expertise and are based on certain
expectations, estimates and assumptions which may prove to be
incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause our
actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied
by the forward-looking statements, including: (1) the mineral
resource and mineral reserve estimates relating to the Project
could prove to be inaccurate for any reason whatsoever, (2) the
Company may be unable to obtain financing for the Project on
acceptable terms or at all, (3) prices and demand for nickel,
cobalt or battery products could decline, (4) Project costs could
differ substantially from those anticipated in the PFS and make any
commercialization uneconomic, (5) inferred and indicated resources
may not materialize, (6) permits, environmental opposition,
government regulation, cost overruns or any of many other factors
may prevent the Company from commercializing the Project, (7)
additional but currently unforeseen work may be required to advance
to the feasibility stage, and (8) even if the Project goes into
production, there is no assurance that operations will be
profitable. These forward-looking statements are made as of the
date of this news release and, except as required by applicable
securities laws, the Company assumes no obligation to update these
forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual
results differed from those projected in the forward-looking
statements. Additional information about these and other
assumptions, risks and uncertainties are set out in the "Risks and
Uncertainties" section in the Company's most recent MD&A filed
with Canadian security regulators.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
MARK JARVIS CEOTel - 604 681 2300
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation
Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX
Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this release.
Suite 203 – 700 West Pender St., Vancouver, BC,
Canada V6C 1G8
T: 604-681-2300 E: info@gigametals.com W:
www.gigametals.com
1 Crundwell et al; Extractive Metallurgy of
Nickel, Cobalt, and Platinum-Group Metals, Chapter 15; Elsevier;
2011
Photos accompanying this announcement are
available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/813a971d-bb9f-4c20-b3bb-33903367da65
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/99ac6405-9f13-4119-9452-2f8fe25e4e08
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