Nickel developer Axiom Mining Limited expects to export its first shipment of nickel ore from its Isabel nickel project within the first quarter of this year.
The company told shareholders this week that planning, design and development work of the project is being carried out at its Isabel project site.
It said the work includes the development strategy for the life-span of the mine and how to deal with social impact effects on communities.
The mining company said it was developing the project on a phase by phase approach with the initial focus on establishing a two-million-tonne-a-year direct shipment of nickel ore for relatively low capital expenditure.
In the meantime Axiom Company is eagerly awaiting a ruling by the Solomon Islands Court of Appeal over prospecting rights over the Isabel nickel project.
Japan’s Sumitomo Metal Mining has appealed against ruling by the High Court in 2014 giving prospecting rights to the nickel deposit over Sumitomo Metal Mining of Japan.
The Court of Appeal had already deliberated on the case and is expected to deliver its judgement soon.
By BRADFORD THEONOMI
