Joint-venture partners
The companies took notice of the nickel project while investigating precious metals projects in the country during the past year. They have since applied for, and received, an exploration licence covering the 3,090-ha Sechol property.
Previous work at Sechol included mapping and test-pitting, with more than 100 pits dug into the laterite and saprolite weathered material overlying the ultrabasic basement rocks. Although tonnage estimates were not calculated, the extensive, near-surface deposits are estimated to average about 2% nickel.
Previous operators examined the project in the context of conventional, energy-intensive, pyrometallurgical processing. Chesbar and Intrepid intend to test the known deposit for its amenability to pressure acid leaching, a hydrometallurgical process to which laterite-type deposits are well-suited. This method allows for the production of nickel metal rather than concentrates, thereby bypassing the smelting process.
The Sechol property is accessible by road and is within easy access of ports on the Caribbean coast. Electrical power is currently available and a large hydroelectric project is being developed in the area.
This year’s US$100,000 work program will include systematic sampling and assaying of new tests pits to be dug by locally available labour. Although ownership of the joint venture is shared equally, the program will be managed by Chesbar. Intrepid will focus on gold and silver exploration on behalf of the joint venture.
Chesbar can boost its interest to 70% by providing funding of US$300,000 for exploration.
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