Supporting a battery metals project toward pre-feasibility and permitting

Demand for battery minerals will surge in coming years as the transition to electric vehicles (EV) picks up pace and battery storage capacity is expanded to support renewable generation. Governments and companies alike are pushing to secure new sources of these minerals with the identification and development of new deposits often highlighted as a strategic priority.

The Tamarack Project in Minnesota, USA, is a case in point. A joint venture between Talon Metals and Rio Tinto, it is one of only three high-grade nickel sulphide deposits discovered globally in the 21st Century and aims to produce high-quality mineral products to support the EV battery supply chain. In addition to mining operations in Minnesota, the project is also planning to process ore domestically at a brownfield site in neighbouring North Dakota.

WSP has been working with Talon for well over a decade, initially assisting with the evaluation of exploration projects for potential acquisition. After the company acquired the Tamarack Project, our team completed the maiden Mineral Resource estimate and National Instrument (NI) 43-101 technical report, which provided the basis for Talon to take the project to market.

Location

Minnesota, USA

Client

Talon Metals Corp.

Securing the Supply Chain

An offtake agreement with Tesla is already in place to provide 75,000 metric tonnes of nickel over a six-year period from start of commercial production. Talon has also been awarded almost US$135 million in federal funding to develop the project via grants from the US Departments of Energy (US$114.8 million) and Defence (US$20.6million).

We have continued to support Talon as the company works to progress its understanding of the deposit and develop an economic mining strategy through to pre-feasibility/feasibility and permitting. This involves ongoing structural geological modelling and geotechnical studies to help convert mineral resources into reserves and refine the mine operating model.

Understanding the Geology

The Tamarack deposit ranges from disseminated sulphide to semi-massive and massive sulphide mineralization. The latter contains high-grade nickel, copper, and precious metals content. The deposit also changes orientation in an almost corkscrew pattern as it follows magmatic channels, faults, and fractures in the surrounding rock. Understanding this geology is not a simple undertaking, as the deposit lies beneath 30 metres of overburden with no surface outcroppings. This makes modelling a challenge – but an engaging one.

In addition to the geological and geotechnical work, the WSP team has been involved in structural geological data interpretation and modelling in support of high-level hydrogeological assessments. We have also provided geochemical analysis to help evaluate tailings storage options.

Moving Towards Prefeasibility

As work toward prefeasibility continues, Talon is looking to expand its resources, both within the Tamarack Project area, as well as over the border in Michigan, where a recent land acquisition contains several good potential targets for sulphide nickel mineralization. Drilling in these areas is expected to commence soon.

The work of junior miners like Talon is an essential – if sometimes overlooked – part of the mining industry, ensuring future supplies of critical minerals and metals are discovered and developed. Juniors need not go through this complex process alone. Partnering with a multidisciplinary consultancy team over the long years of exploration can provide essential support when advancing a project through the various stages of development, facilitating critical access to financing and providing a successful route to commercial operation.