Mincor contracts Hamptons for nickel project

Kalgoorlie-based Hampton Mining and Civil has secured an early works contract for Mincor Resources’ Cassini nickel project in Western Australia’s Kambalda district.

The scope of works under the two-month contract involves site clearance activities for infrastructure and services, and digging of the box-cut at Cassini.

Mincor said Hampton had previously undertaken open-pit mining at the company’s Widgiemooltha gold operation and was therefore able to mobilise promptly to complete work under the new contract.

The early works program at Cassini was one of the key uses of funds outlined in Mincor’s recent $35.6 million capital raising, completed last year.

Mincor managing director David Southam said the contract represented a strong vote of confidence by the board in the long-term future of the Cassini project.

“Given that Cassini is our flagship deposit, and with the project recently receiving all necessary key state government approvals, it was a logical decision to commence pre-mining works as soon as possible,” he said.

“We are currently assessing the mining contract tenders for both the northern and southern operations, and these contractors are, importantly, separate from Hampton for this discreet program.”

Mr Southam said Hampton would start work immediately, with the works due to be completed by the end of the quarter.

Mincor has more than 300 square kilometres of land in the Kambalda nickel district.

The development of the Cassini project forms part of Mincor’s nickel restart strategy after the miner suspended its Kambalda operations in 2016, due to exceptionally low nickel prices.

The restart strategy is centred on four key production hubs within the Kambalda region, including at Cassini.

Mincor shares closed down 4.4 cent to trade at 64 cents per share.