Knights Bay Unveils Ambitious Nickel Production Project in Oman

Strategic Insights -

Knights Bay, a UK-based mining company, is set to launch a pioneering nickel production facility in Oman, marking the initial phase of a comprehensive mining project in the Middle East. The pilot plant, capable of processing 10,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) of nickel, is designed to scale into full production modules, producing up to 100,000 tpa. The project will draw from the company's substantial concession in the Wilayat of Ibra, Al Sharqiyah North Governorate, which boasts significant deposits of iron ore, cobalt, chrome, and silica. Knights Bay is actively seeking a strategic partner to support the project's development, with key milestones including securing a mining license, mobilizing drilling operations, and enhancing corporate governance.

Key Takeaways:

  • The pilot plant will process 10,000 tpa of nickel, with a potential to scale up to 100,000 tpa.
  • The project will draw from Knights Bay's 1,444 kmA2 concession in the Wilayat of Ibra, Al Sharqiyah North Governorate.
  • The facility will produce up to 112,000 tpa of nickel, 120,000 tpa of iron ore, and 5,100 tpa of cobalt at full production.
  • Knights Bay has already completed drilling for its initial batch of exploration holes in the concession.
  • Geological exploration has revealed average nickel grades between 1.05% and 1.2% and iron ore grades between 60% and 66%.
  • The concession offers substantial long-term potential, with estimated over 37 million tonnes of resources and reserves, and an exploration target of more than 1.5 billion tonnes.
  • Knights Bay is seeking a strategic partner to support the project's development, with key milestones including securing a mining license and mobilizing drilling operations.
  • The company has already concluded Phase 1 of its scout drilling campaign, reporting consistent mineral values across the laterite zones.
  • New zones of nickel and cobalt laterites, up to 35 metres thick, have been discovered and sampled.
  • Current findings indicate over 95 million tonnes of measured, indicated, and inferred resources with average grades of 1.06% nickel, 560 ppm cobalt, 35% iron, and 4% chromite.

Statistics:

  • 10,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) - target production capacity of the pilot plant.
  • 100,000 tpa - potential production capacity of the full-scale facility.
  • 1,444 kmA2 - area of the concession in the Wilayat of Ibra, Al Sharqiyah North Governorate.
  • 37 million tonnes - estimated resources and reserves.
  • 1.5 billion tonnes - exploration target.
  • 112,000 tpa - expected nickel production at full capacity.
  • 120,000 tpa - expected iron ore production at full capacity.
  • 5,100 tpa - expected cobalt production at full capacity.
  • 400,000 tonnes - initial feedstock for the pilot plant.
  • 1.0% - 1.3% - nickel grades of the initial feedstock.
  • 500 ppm - cobalt levels of the initial feedstock.
  • 95 million tonnes - measured, indicated, and inferred resources.
  • 25 metres - average laterite thicknesses in target zones.

Sources:

  • Knights Bay, 'Revolutionising the Middle East's mining sector with the development of the first fully integrated Nickel and Iron Ore mining project' (no date or author mentioned, published on Knights Bay's website)
  • Knights Bay, 'Pilot Plant Plans & Project Timeline' (no date or author mentioned, published on Knights Bay's website)
  • Royal Decree (no date or publication mentioned, cited in Knights Bay's website)