The construction of the second production line of the Northern Plant is now achieved. This implies the demobilization of the staff and equipment affected to the construction and launches the commissioning phase. The demobilization will continue throughout 2014 to end up in December 2014 with the last step, the closed down of the camp.
Under a self-referral to the Economic and Social Council, SMSP was heard by members of the Mining, Metallurgical & Energy Committee and that of Economic Development, Taxation & Budget. Given the unfavorable economic situation of the nickel industry, the discussions within the “Signatories Committee” on the country’ strategic industrial plan, and also the validation of...
The Prime Minister attended a nickel‘s casting performance at the Northern Plant on 27th July 2013. He was accompanied by an important delegation including Victorin Lurel, Minister of Overseas Territories, Fleur Pellerin, Deputy Minister of innovation and small & medium companies, Jean-Jacques Brot, High Comissionner of the French Republic in New Caledonia, Philippe Gomes Member...
The 5th New Caledonia Nickel Conference was held on July 1-3 2013 at Le Méridien Hotel in Nouméa. It was an event to analyze the market’s perspectives, at a time of critical challenges and high volatility of the markets. Key topics and questions currently affecting the nickel industry were explored at this conference. André DANG’s...
Following the validation of the technical feasibility study, the execution and financing plans, the partners SMSP and POSCO sign the agreement on the expansion of the ferronickel production unit. The production unit in Gwangyang, with an annual nominal capacity of 30,000 tons of nickel metal contained in ferronickel, will increase its capacity of 24,000 additional...
A special celebration of the Northern Plant’s first nickel tapping was convened on Friday, April 19, with the presence of the State and Government representatives, the Northern Province’s President as well as SMSP’s and Xstrata’s representatives. The program began with a guests’ welcome ceremony, performed by the Northern Plant’s President, Peter Hancock, before the participants...
The Northern Plant achieved its first metal tapping on the 10th April 2013 at 8:35 pm. This tap came after the first slap tapping achieved at 12:55 pm the same day. The electrical furnace, pre-loaded with 230 tons of steel, has been gradually heated to approximately 1,000 degrees Celsius temperature for the constitution of the...
During this committee KNS has presented the general advancement of the project (including healthy, safety & environmental issues, work in progress of the construction, commissioning of the first line, human resources) while the Cellule Koniambo unit has presented the current situation on the demobilization of subcontractors working and the organization of CGE VKP.
Following the Line 1 furnace heat up during February 2013, the first metal bath tapping is expected to take place by the end of March, in line with the commissioning and ramp up plans. The plant is well positioned to deliver the two-year production ramp up to achieve its nameplate 60,000 tonnes of nickel in...
Tuesday, February 5 at 3pm, the grinding/drying process of ore began with some tests, carried out on the ore preparation unit. These tests were performed with 20 tons of wet ore in order to check the overall equipment process including the crushing and drying mill, the separator, filters, the hot gas generator, the transport system...
