Cobalt Blue (COB) has completed the Halls Creek Project Scoping Study with plans to develop both the Onedin and Sandiego deposits in Western Australia with a focus on copper-zinc.
“This is a fresh, modern look at an undeveloped project. We believe that the Halls Creek Project can be developed for a moderate investment to profitably produce copper and zinc, which are forecast to be in high demand in the coming decade,” COB’s CEO Andrew Tong said.
“While remaining focused on the Kwinana Cobalt Refinery, we are thrilled to have acquired a robust project to potentially deliver near-term value to our shareholders.”
Open-cut methods will be used in the Onedin deposit, involving treatment via heap leaching, solvent extraction, and electrowinning to produce copper metal, and crystallisation to produce zinc sulphate monohydrate.
Underground methods will be used to mine material from the Sandeigo deposit and treated via a concentrator to produce separate copper and zinc concentrates.
A photovoltaic solar grid with battery storage will provide sustainable, on-site power for the operation.
Major metals such as copper, zinc and silver will be mined, strengthening COB’s ability to weather price swings, optimise capital allocation and seize new opportunities in shifting market conditions.
A modest-upfront capital expenditure is requested for potentially near dated cashflows while COB develops its critical minerals.
COB will continue to work through staging and capital equipment reduction opportunities throughout the course of Project development.
Conventional metallurgical flowsheets, engineering and equipment selection with low levels of development and operational risk will be utilised in the project.
