Japanese giant Sumitomo Metal Mining has announced it will become a significant shareholder in West Perth-based junior Ardea Resources, following a $4.6 million investment.
The Foreign Investment Review Board has given the green light for a “globally significant” joint venture to develop a nickel-cobalt resource near Kalgoorlie.
Institutional and sophisticated investors have supported a $16 million raise for ASX-listed Ardea Resources to fund a study for its Kalgoorlie nickel project.
Ardea Resources has signed a memorandum of understanding with a Japanese consortium to develop a sub-set of its Kalgoorlie nickel project after tabling a price tag of $3.18 billion.
Ardea Resources' Kalgoorlie nickel project has been granted major project status by the federal government amid a heightened period of activity for the commodity.
Anglo Australian Resources is seeking to raise $14 million for its gold project near Kalgoorlie, while fellow explorers Ardea Resources and Surefire Resources have also announced capital raisings.