Production for 2022 is guided for 300 tonnes of nickel and 3 tonnes of cobalt. The operations are unusual in that they use heap leach production, a method which is widely used for other metal production, but not for nickel.

The initial production will ramp up to 1,400 tonnes of nickel and 35 tonnes of cobalt per annum by 2023.

The company is now working to ramp up production, complete a feasablity study, and look for customers, ahead of a ramp up to a full scale nickel and cobalt production at the site, which was acquired from Vale.

The full-scale PNP operation could produce an average of 25,000 tonnes per year of nickel and 900 tonnes of cobalt, the company said.

The PNP1000 operation will provide 215 jobs which have been filled by the residents of the local communities for over 70% of the positions.

"We are particularly proud to be bringing online a new stream of critical metals in this current environment where there is a growing need for a secure supply of nickel and cobalt which is required in green technologies, such as electric vehicles and solar panels," Mike Oxley, CEO, said.