Large, low-grade polymetallic magmatic sulphide deposits represent a largely untapped source of nickel, copper, platinum group metals,cobalt and gold. For the most part, these deposits have remained undeveloped due to their low-grade, disseminated and often fine-grainedmineralisation, which impacts negatively on processing and mining costs. Development of these resources will rely on their significant byproductvalues, and maximising mining and milling efficiency through increasing economies of scale.Similar to the large, high-grade polymetallic nickel camps, such as Sudbury and Norilsk’s Polar (Talnakh), they generally occur within large,layered mafic to ultramafic intrusions. Many of these deposits have been recognised for decades, but only in recent times have they beenmined or seriously assessed for development. AME has taken a close look at a number projects with grades around 0.3% nickel or lower, withpotential for development in the medium to longer term, as well as some operating low-grade sulphide operations to assess the likelihood forfuture supply.
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