Centaurus Metals’ Jaguar nickel project assessed as global leader in cost, sustainability and emissions

A new study has named Centaurus Metals’ (ASX: CTM) proposed Jaguar development as one of the best new global nickel sulphide projects from both an economic and sustainability perspective.

Centaurus has now received positive outcomes from the Jaguar value engineering process (JVEP) and an independent ESG assessment of the Brazilian project.

The company initiated the JVEP to support the delivery of enhanced feasibility study economics and to de-risk the overall project development pathway.

Cornerstone asset

Jaguar is Centaurus’ cornerstone asset as the company looks to build a diversified Brazilian critical minerals business, with the JVEP work confirming and enhancing the strong feasibility economics.

“The completion of the Jaguar value engineering process marks another important step towards the development of this world-class nickel sulphide asset, demonstrating enhanced economics and further de-risking our development pathway,” managing director Darren Gordon said.

Mr Gordon said the estimated first quartile all-in-sustaining cost of approximately $5.44 per pound nickel and the associated strong free cash flows generated over the optimised 15-year open pit mine life are key drivers of the project’s robust economics.

“This gives us a high degree of confidence that Jaguar will be financially viable in any future nickel price environment,” he added.

Low-emission project

The new ESG assessment confirmed Jaguar’s credentials as a world-leading, low-emission nickel project and has positioned it to attract strategic investment as a new source of class-1 nickel.

Centaurus conducted the updated analysis of Jaguar’s carbon footprint in conjunction with specialist metals and mining ESG research company Skarn Associates.

It commissioned Skarn to update its previous emissions assessment work on the basis of a new high-grade (more than 30%) nickel concentrate product that would necessitate the transport of significantly less volume of concentrate to customers.

Production analysis

Skarn’s work involved studying the emissions generated through production of the new nickel concentrate product on site at Jaguar and its subsequent transportation to markets in the Atlantic Basin for further downstream processing to a final saleable product.

This analysis delivered further meaningful reductions in the already low overall level of carbon emissions from the project.

“Central to these activities will be the advancement of the strategic partnering discussions now that the value engineering work has been completed,” Mr Gordon said.

“The company has been actively engaging with a range of potential partners and off-takers who have indicated strong interest in the project.”