Nickel developer Horizonte Minerals has received a mining approval permit for its 100%-owned Araguaia project, in Brazil, paving the way for mining activities to get under way.

“The approval allows ore to be mined and stockpiled with the aim of mitigating a key commissioning risk as part of our mine-to-mill strategy ahead of the plant startup next year,” says CEO Jeremy Martin.

Over the course of the next six months, stockpiles will be established, with sufficient ore to feed the plant for the subsequent six months, Horizonte reports.

The Pequizeiro pit, located 750 m from the plant site, will be the primary source of ore to Araguaia, supplying the first two years of the project's mine life and contributing over 50% of the mine production for the first ten years.

Araguaia is under construction with first metal scheduled for the first quarter of 2024. When fully ramped up, with Line 1 and Line 2, it is forecast to produce 29 000 t/y of nickel.

Horizonte also owns the Vermelho project, which is at feasibility study stage and is expected to produce 24 000 t/y of nickel and 1 250 t/y of cobalt to supply the electric vehicle battery market.

Horizonte's combined production profile of over 60 000 t/y of nickel.