First Quantum signals potential restart of Ravensthorpe mine

First Quantum Minerals (FQM) is investigating the possibility of re-starting its idled Ravensthorpe nickel/cobalt operation in Australia.

The Vancouver-based company acquired the Ravensthorpe mine and processing plant from BHP back in February 2010, with commercial production reached in December 2011. However, the mine was later placed under care and maintenance in October 2017 due to low nickel prices (LME nickel cash price averaged 10,524/t in Q3 2017).

Since then, the price of nickel has recovered. In Q1 2019, LME cash price averaged 12,366/t – more than 17% higher than it was when the Ravensthorpe operation was suspended, according to market research firm Roskill. If the market conditions continue to improve, operations could resume as early as Q1 2020, says the company.

According to its latest MD&A report, initial planning for the resumption of operations at Ravensthorpe has already begun. Restart costs are estimated at $10 million.

In 2017, Ravensthorpe generated $146 million in revenue from its nickel production and $17 million from cobalt. FQM also operates six other mines across three continents, including Kansanshi, the largest copper mine in Africa.

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