PNR expects 2026 start date for BCL

Mbongeni Mguni | Tuesday October 17, 2023 08:52

 

Glory days: BCL Mine was the country’s primary base metals producer prior to its closure in 2016

In an update to investors last week, PNRL directors said construction of a new mill for the Selebi shaft would begin in the third quarter of 2025, with commissioning of the mill and operations kicking off in the last quarter of 2026.

Between now and then, the Canadian firm plans to finalise hydrometallurgical studies, conduct further underground drilling, exploration, make upgrades to existing shafts and upgrade dated resource figures for the various resources it holds in the BCL Ltd group.

In June, PNRL secured 33.9 million Canadian dollars (P343m) in funding for its various activities and directors last week said the planned ramp-up to direction was on course.

At Selkirk, the underground mine at Tati Nickel which closed in 2002, PNRL plans to pump in millions towards various studies including the production of an updated mineral resource.

A pre-feasibility study for Selkirk is due out in the second quarter of 2025, directors said.

Premium Nickel Resources Botswana snapped up the Selebi and Selebi North shafts, as well as Selkirk Mine from government, in a deal pegged at P837 million last year. The transaction includes related infrastructure such as rail, power and water works as well as a pledge to spend P5 billion in reviving the assets that have been mothballed since 2016.