Aker signs on for Mindoro Nickel

Oslo based mining and exploration company, Intex Resources ASA has extended its contract with Aker Solutions as preferred partner for the definitive feasibility study on Stage 1 of the Mindoro Nickel Project. Located on the island of Mindoro, approximately 200km south of Manila, the Mindoro Nickel Project is Intex’s flagship operation. The ore body involved is a large deposit of nickel laterite containing over 2Mt of nickel and 150,000t of cobalt.

Since postponing work on the feasibility study in 2008, pending detailed test work. Intex now has encouraging metallurgical results from extensive pilot plant testing. The company plans to proceed with work on the feasibility stage of the project, with Aker Solutions as engineering partner.

The contract is worth AU$5 million, and will cover all aspects of concept design and capital cost estimate for the complete process plant and ancillary facilities required for a remote green field site. Aker has a long history of involvement in the Mindoro Nickel Project and extensive knowledge of the High Pressure Acid Leaching (HPAL) technology involved, and is reported to be pleased with its involvement in the next phase of development.