Nickel 28 Releases Ramu Q3 2024 Operating Performance

Rhea-AI Summary

Nickel 28 Capital Corp reported Q3 2024 operational results for its Ramu Nickel-Cobalt operation in Papua New Guinea, where it holds an 8.56% joint-venture interest. Q3 production reached 6,880 tonnes of contained nickel and 634 tonnes of cobalt in MHP, showing a decrease from 8,979 and 851 tonnes respectively in Q3 2023. The decline was attributed to a planned shutdown for capital improvements. Sales included 8,685 tonnes of nickel and 798 tonnes of cobalt. Average prices were US$7.37/lb for nickel (17% decrease) and US$11.52/lb for cobalt (31% decrease). Cash cost was US$2.96/lb of nickel, up 7% year-over-year.

Positive

• Capital improvements expected to increase future production capacity
• YTD cash cost decreased 4% to US$3.10/lb of nickel
• Full year production expected to meet 30,000 tonnes guidance

Negative

• Q3 nickel production decreased 23.4% YoY to 6,880 tonnes
• Q3 cobalt production declined 25.5% YoY to 634 tonnes
• Nickel price dropped 17% YoY to US$7.37/lb
• Cobalt price fell 31% YoY to US$11.52/lb
• Q3 cash cost increased 7% YoY to US$2.96/lb
• Facility shutdown extended due to contractor fatality

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - October 28, 2024) - Nickel 28 Capital Corp. (TSXV: NKL) (FSE: 3JC0) ("Nickel 28" or the "Company") is pleased to provide operational results for the quarter ending September 30, 2024 for the Company's largest asset; the Ramu Nickel-Cobalt ("Ramu") integrated operation in Papua New Guinea. Nickel 28 currently holds an 8.56% joint-venture interest in Ramu which is operated by the Metallurgical Corporation of China ("MCC").

Q3 2024 Ramu Highlights:

• Ramu Q3 2024 production of 6,880 tonnes of contained nickel in MHP, compared to 8,979 tonnes in the same period last year. Decrease due to the planned full shutdown.
• Ramu Q3 2024 production of 634 tonnes of contained cobalt in MHP, compared to 851 tonnes in the same period last year.
• Ramu Q3 2024 nickel sales of 8,685 tonnes of contained nickel, compared to 8,832 tonnes in the same period last year.
• Ramu Q3 2024 cobalt sales of 798 tonnes of contained cobalt, compared to 836 tonnes in the same period last year.
• LME average nickel price of US$7.37/lb. in Q3 2024, a decrease of 17% from the same period the previous year.
• Fast Markets average cobalt price of US$11.52/lb. in Q3 2024, a 31% decrease from the same period last year.
• Ramu Q3 2024 cash cost, net of by-product credits of $2.96/lb. of nickel produced as MHP, representing a increase of 7% from the same period last year. YTD 2024 cash cost, net of by-product credits of US$3.10/lb. of nickel produced as MHP representing a decrease of 4% from the same period last year.

"Ramu's Q3 production was affected, as expected, by the planned shutdown during the month of September to undertake some capital improvement projects, which are expected to increase Ramu's production capacity. We continue to expect that Ramu's full year production will remain within guidance, being 30,000 tonnes of contained nickel in mixed hydroxide precipitate. Future periods should benefit from the capital improvement projects and result in higher tonnage produced starting next year." stated Nickel 28's Chief Executive Officer, Christopher Wallace. "During the capital improvement project work there unfortunately was a fatality of an external contractor." continued Mr. Wallace. "Investigations were conducted by internal Ramu staff as well as by the Mineral Resource Authority. These investigations extended the length of the shutdown by a couple of days, however the investigations are now complete and Ramu is working back towards full production."

Ramu's operating performance for the period are presented below along with comparison to prior years.

		2023						2024
		Q3			YTD			Q3			YTD
Ore Processed (dry kt) MHP Produced (dry tonne) Contained Nickel (tonne) Contained Cobalt (tonne) Nickel Capacity Utilization (% of design1)		960   22,529   8,979   851   110%			2,741   64,622   25,237   2,302   105%			790   17,113   6,880   634   84%			2,583 56,538 22,717 2,076 93%
MHP Shipped (dry tonne) Contained Nickel (tonne) Contained Cobalt (tonne)		25,183   8,832   836			67,779   25,824   2,331			21,323   8,685   798			62,733 25,215 2,305
Cash Cost Actual (2)	$	2.77		$	3.24		$	2.96		$	3.10

 

Note 1. Ramu design capacity of 32,600 tonnes/year of nickel contained in MHP
Note 2. Actual cost per pound of nickel contained in MHP net of by-product credits

The figures in the table above have not been audited and are subject to change. As the company has not yet finished any audit or review procedures in respect of the fiscal quarter, the financial information presented in this press release is preliminary, subject to adjustment and may change materially. The information presented above has not been reviewed or audited by the Company's auditor, should not be considered a substitute for reviewed or audited financial statements and should not be regarded as a representation by the Company as to the actual financial results.

About Nickel 28

Nickel 28 Capital Corp. is a nickel-cobalt producer through its 8.56% joint-venture interest in the producing, long-life and world-class Ramu Nickel-Cobalt Operation located in Papua New Guinea. Ramu provides Nickel 28 with significant attributable nickel and cobalt production thereby offering our shareholders direct exposure to two metals which are critical to the adoption of electric vehicles. In addition, Nickel 28 manages a portfolio of 10 nickel and cobalt royalties on development and exploration projects in Canada, Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain information which constitutes 'forward-looking statements' and 'forward-looking information' within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "expect", "potential", "believe", "intend" or the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to: statements and figures with respect to the operational and financial results of the Ramu project; statements with respect to the prospects of nickel and cobalt in the global electrification of vehicles; statements related to the repayment of the Company's Ramu operating debt (and the timing thereof); statements related to the Company's attributable cash flow (and the receipt and timing thereof); and statements with respect to the business and assets of the Company and its strategy going forward. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, most of which are beyond the Company's control. Should one or more of the risks or uncertainties underlying these forward-looking statements materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results, performance or achievements could vary materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this release and, other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release.

Investor Relations Contact Information:

Nickel 28 Investor Relations
Attn: Christopher Wallace, CEO
Director Tel:+1 604 307 6229
Email: info@nickel28.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/227980

FAQ

What was Nickel 28's (CONXF) Q3 2024 nickel production at Ramu?

Nickel 28's Ramu operation produced 6,880 tonnes of contained nickel in MHP during Q3 2024, down from 8,979 tonnes in Q3 2023.

What caused the production decrease at Nickel 28's (CONXF) Ramu operation in Q3 2024?

The production decrease was due to a planned shutdown for capital improvement projects, which was extended due to investigations following a contractor fatality.

What were the average nickel and cobalt prices for Nickel 28 (CONXF) in Q3 2024?

The average LME nickel price was US$7.37/lb and the Fast Markets cobalt price was US$11.52/lb in Q3 2024.