Widgie Nickel has updated the mineral resource estimate (MRE) for the Widgie 3 nickel deposit, a part of the Widgie South project sitting within the Mount Edwards project in WA.
The Widgie 3 MRE now equals 734,000 tonnes (t) at 1.53 per cent nickel for 11,200t, with 70 per cent of the MRE classified as indicated for 6880t of contained nickel.
The upgrade represents a 14 per cent increase in nickel grade, with a 32 per cent reduction in contained arsenic compared to the 2018 MRE.
The Widgie 3 MRE increase brings the Widgie South project’s total MRE to 6.35 million tonnes (Mt) at 1.44 per cent nickel for 91,270t over a strike length of 2.8km, with 63 per cent of the 91,270t now considered indicated resources.
Mount Edwards’ nickel resource has grown to 191,340t of contained nickel, and Widgie Nickel’s total nickel resource now equals 13.14Mt at 1.46 per cent nickel for 191,340 nickel tonnes.
The Widgie 3 MRE upgrade follows MRE increases of the Gillett nickel deposit and the Faraday and Trainline lithium deposits.
“The third of six resource revisions represents a resounding success with what was previously an inferred resource we now have 70 per cent in the indicated category, this greatly improves our confidence as it feeds into the scoping study,” Widgie Nickel managing director and chief executive officer Steve Norregaard said.
“Importantly we have also seen an improvement in nickel grade, a reduction in arsenic grade and inclusion of notable by-product credits. This is a great outcome with ample opportunities to increase the resource clearly evident.
Widgie announced late last year that the scoping study for Mount Edwards had been delayed to February 2024. Norregaard said the Widgie 3 MRE upgrade will feed into the scoping study.
“Widgie 3 is now another high-quality resource in the company’s portfolio, cementing the positive prospects for the upcoming scoping study,” he said.
“Widgie’s unique assemblage of 12 resources in close proximity make for a wonderful opportunity to build a long life, high confidence, low risk mining operation in the medium term.”
