Horizonte Minerals Plc (LON:HZM, TSE:HZM) has begun drilling work on its Araguaia nickel project in northern Brazil that will contribute to the compilation of a feasibility study.
In total Geotechreserves Do Brasil will carry out a 1,500 metres programme that will help estimate how much ore is contained in area selected for trial excavation.
It will also undertake geotechnical drilling over the pit areas, the site of the rotary kiln electric furnace plant and cooling water dam site.
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A number of holes will be drilled in order to monitor water levels around the plant site and pits as part of larger hydrogeology and hydrology studies.
Work began on March 27. The feasibility study, which will provide more detail on the costs and economics of Araguaia, will be compiled by the year end.
Horizonte chief executive Jeremy Martin said: “Having successfully completed the project kick-off meeting on site which was attended by all of our consulting groups during the second week of March, the drill programme will provide data which will form an integral part of the feasibility study.
“This includes detailed information of the trial excavation programme as well as geotechnical information over the planned process plant site which will be used to design the foundations and the main structures that support the electric furnace and kiln.”