Ardea Resources (ASX:ARL) is on track to complete a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) in the first half of 2026 at the Kalgoorlie Nickel Project in Western Australia.
The DFS design has materially advanced since the July 2023 Prefeasibility Study, with several improvements now confirmed.
The project is based on a simplified, higher throughput 3.5 million tonnes per year high pressure acid leach (HPAL) and 500,000 tonnes per year atmospheric leach (AL) capacity, producing a mixed hydroxide precipitate nickel-cobalt product.
Ardea, which has a market capitalisation of $117.83 million, says removal of the AL circuit and autoclave optimisation for the HPAL is expected to deliver higher recoveries, reduced acid consumption and then a lower carbon footprint.
CEO Andrew Penkethman says several key design improvements have been fully validated, most notably the simplified HPAL-only flowsheet and move to MSP as the company’s sale product.
“These decisions strengthen the technical and commercial profile of the project,” Penkethman says.
“We have also made strong progress on refining the approach to mine planning, autoclave optimisation and continue to consider long-term value opportunities across additional critical mineral by-product production, comminution, and ore transport.
“These enhancements position the Goongarrie Hub as a robust, long-life, globally competitive nickel-cobalt operation.”
The Australian Government has also renewed a major project status for Kalgoorlie, which confirms the project’s strategic importance as a long-life supplier of nickel and cobalt for global battery and stainless-steel markets.
Ardea says the status facilitates coordinated engagement with government agencies and supports the timely advancement of project approvals. Engagement has been particularly active in the last two months, with delegation participation in official critical minerals trips to the US and Japan.
Ardea Resources is focused on developing Australia’s nickel-cobalt project.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Ardea Resources
