Horizonte Minerals (LON:HZM)(TSE:HZM) has awarded contracts for the feasibility study it plans to conduct into the viability of developing the Araguaia nickel project in Brazil.
The feasibility will investigate production scenarios for a produce 14,500 tonnes per annum nickel operation that uses the proven rotary kiln electric furnace technology.
The study is targeted for completion by the end of 2017 and the company is fully funded through to completion.
Among the well-known mining names that are coming on board are Worley Parsons, which will address process engineering, Snowden, which will undertake mine planning and resource and reserve estimates, and Environmental Resources Management, which will look at hydrology.
"The company's aim is to build a best-in-class ferronickel operation and to achieve this we need to deliver a robust feasibility study,” said Horizonte chief executive Jeremy Martin.
“The tender and selection process has been an involved exercise as our aim was to contract leading consulting groups with a strong track record in ferronickel and also project delivery experience in Brazil.”