Processing - Development Timelines

Development Timelines   |   Construction Schedule

(All capital costs are current estimates)

2003

• Established Project Office
• Constructed office/warehouse building at Argentia
• Began operation of mini-pilot plant at Sheridan Park in Ontario
• Commenced detailed engineering for site preparation
• Installed fiber optic connection

2003-04

• Continued upgrade/replacement of utility services at Argentia
• Earthworks completed construction at Demonstration Plant
• Constructed Demonstration Plant Building

2005

• Installed mechanical, piping and electrical controls
• Installed process equipment
• Commissioned demonstration plant
• Began testing nickel concentrate

2006-08

• Operate demonstration plant
• Complete Environmental Assessment

2008

• Complete feasibility study for commercial processing facility
• Decision to construct either a commercial scale hydromet plant, or a conventional processing facility with the same capacity using proven technology to produce finished nickel

2009 – 2011

• Construction of US$2.2 billion 110-million pounds of nickel per annum hydrometallurgical nickel matte processing facility, or construction of 110-million pound per annum refinery that will produce finished nickel
• Commencement of commercial processing