Confidence in Yakabindie becoming a truly cost competitive nickel
project has risen recently because of: the emergence of an economically effective contract mining climate;
the delivery of cheaper energy via the Goldfields Gas Pipeline; and the development of the Yakabindie Process for production of nickel
cathode and cobalt by-product directly from sulphide concentrates at
site, dramatically cutting capital and operating costs compared to the
conventional route. Development of the Yakabindie Process was a result of 'necessity being
the mother of invention'. Yakabindie can now break out of the trap of
relying on existing downstream processors to treat an intermediate, and
instead the project can gain direct market access. The very attractive cost
advantages demonstrate that hydrometallurgical processing of sulphide
concentrates is a worthy prize. Improved cobalt recoveries, and tolerance
of higher levels of magnesium and arsenic than allowable by smelters, are
further advantages of this approach. Leach residues are combined with
much larger quantities of naturally alkaline flotation tailings and remain
at site. As a result the process is more environmentally sensitive than the
conventional smelt/refine route, with no sulphur dioxide gas emissions
and 'metal only out the gate'.