Blackstone Minerals Ltd (ASX:BSX, OTCQX:BLSTF) has continued to optimise project development strategies through its ongoing engagement with prospective technology and offtake partners at the company’s Ta Khoa Refinery Project (TKR) in Northern Vietnam.
One of the company’s key priorities is establishing strong partnerships with stakeholders to finalise the joint venture structure and investment contribution for the project.
Another area of focus is a multi-product strategy, which involves evaluating various options for product and throughput staging, including an initial nickel sulphate start-up scenario.
In addition, Blackstone’s team is collaborating with community stakeholders to ensure they have the support in aiding in the permitting process for land access.
Furthermore, a dossier has been submitted seeking investment policy for the Ta Khoa Refinery, with an environmental impact assessment and social and economic baseline survey started at the site.
Delivering major project milestones
Blackstone managing director Scott Williamson said: "Blackstone continues to deliver major project milestones to progress development of the Ta Khoa Project.
“Completion of the pilot program, dossier submission and commencement of major permitting activities are great examples of our team’s commitment to drive the project forward.
“The project development strategy has matured, driven through partnership collaboration. Incorporating a multi-product strategy and staging opportunities into the design has brought increased interest from prospective partners, and de-risked the project's pathway to cash flow.
“This is an exciting time for Blackstone as we continue our ambition to develop the greenest and most resilient nickel business in the world.”
Project development strategies
Blackstone Minerals is focused on building an integrated battery metals processing business in Vietnam that produces nickel-cobalt-manganese precursor products for Asia’s growing lithium-ion battery industry.
The existing business has a modern nickel mine built to Australian standards, which successfully operated as a mechanised underground nickel mine from 2013 to 2016.
This will be complemented by a larger concentrator, refinery and precursor facility to support integrated production in-country.
To unlock the flowsheet, the company is focused on a partnership model and is collaborating with groups who are committed to sustainable mining, minimising the carbon footprint and implementing a vertically integrated supply chain.
The company’s development strategy is underpinned by the ability to secure nickel concentrate and Ta Khoa is emerging as a nickel sulphide district with several exploration targets yet to be tested.