The Oracle nickel project (Oracle nickel Project) in Indonesia, which is 70% owned by Nickel Industries, produced the first nickel pig iron (NPI).
Along with the early production of this batch, NIC's other three RKEF production lines will be gradually commissioning, and all four lines are expected to be operational by the end of the first quarter of 2023. After commissioning the Oracle power plant, Nickel expects all RKEF production lines to significantly increase production levels.
NIC has produced its first Nickel pig iron from 70% of its Oracle nickel holdings in the Molovalli Industrial Park (IMIP) in Indonesia, according to a Nickel Industries (NPI) announcement. Production of the first units is well ahead of its commissioning schedule, which targets delivery in February 2023.
Oracle nickel's three additional rotary kiln Electric Furnace (RKEF) lines will gradually come on stream over the next few months, with all RKEF lines expected to be operational by the end of the first quarter of 2023.
According to NPI, Oracle nickel's upgrade will be transformational for the company's existing operations, increasing attributable nickel metal capacity from 52,800 tons per year to more than 100,000 tons per year.
Managing director Justin Werner said the first production was "another major milestone" in the company's "rapid development into a globally significant diversified nickel producer". The upgrade of Oracle nickel's four RKEF production lines will follow a similar path to the company's Angel nickel (Angel Nickel Project) in the Weidabai Industrial Park in Indonesia.
Each production line will gradually be ramped up to about 60 percent of capacity before Oracle nickel's own power plants come online.
Nickel Industries expects the Oracle nickel Power plant to begin production in the second quarter of 2023, at which time production levels on all RKEF lines are expected to rapidly increase to levels similar to the Company's existing operations.
