Nickel developer Axiom Mining was targeting first shipment of ore from its Isabel nickel project, in the Solomon Islands, during the first quarter of this year.

The miner told shareholders this week that planning, design and development work continued at the Isabel project, with the development strategy for the life-of-mine completed, along with the field component of the social-impact assessment.

Axiom was taking a phased approach to developing the Isabel project, with the initial focus being on establishing a two-million-tonne-a-year direct shipping ore operation for a relatively low capital expenditure. Meanwhile, the company was expecting a ruling from the Solomon Islands Court of Appeal shortly, regarding the prospecting rights over the Isabel project.

Japan’s Sumitomo Metal Mining appealed a 2014 ruling from the Solomon Islands High Court, which gave Axiom prospecting rights to the nickel deposit. The appeal was completed in June of last year, and judgment was expected in the near future.

• [Editor:Juan]