Stellantis inks pact with GME for battery-grade Nickel and Cobalt Sulphate
In pursuit of a strong EV battery value chain in the coming years, Stellantis N.V. and GME Resources Limited have announced the signing of a non-binding MOU for the future sale of battery grade nickel and cobalt sulphate products from the 'NiWest' Nickel-Cobalt Project in Western Australia.
'NiWest' is an advanced nickel-cobalt development project, with a supply capacity of 90,000 tpa (tons per annum) of battery grade nickel and cobalt sulphate. To date, more than AU$30 million has been invested into drilling, metallurgical test work and development studies.
Moreover, a definitive feasibility study for 'NiWest' is due to commence this month. The proposed location of the processing facility is within approximately 30 kilometers of Glencore-owned Murrin Murrin operation, the largest nickel-cobalt operation in Australia.
"Every day, Stellantis is working to provide our customers clean, safe affordable, cutting-edge freedom of mobility," said Maxime Picat, Stellantis Chief Purchasing and Supply Chain Officer. "Securing the raw material sources and battery supply will strengthen Stellantis' value chain for electric vehicle battery production and equally important, help the Company achieve its aggressive decarbonization target."
GME Managing Director, Paul Kopejtka, commented on the agreement, "Stellantis is a partner of the highest caliber and GME is delighted to have signed this MOU in what we hope is the first step in a long-term partnership.
"We're very pleased with how our discussions have progressed and we now look forward to progressing more detailed negotiations in parallel with the start of the Definitive Feasibility Study for the NiWest Nickel-Cobalt Project. A Definitive Agreement with Stellantis would be a critical step in being able to progress the NiWest Project through to commercial operations", he added.
GME's principal asset is its fully-owned 'NiWest' Nickel Cobalt Project. The company has completed a pre-feasibility study that has confirmed the technical and economic viability of a heap leach and direct solvent extraction operation at one of the largest and highest-grade undeveloped nickel-cobalt deposits in Australia.
It is to be noted that earlier this year, Stellantis strengthened its supply of low-carbon lithium hydroxide by signing agreements with Vulcan Energy and Controlled Thermal Resources for Europe and North America, respectively.
