Nickel 28 Releases Ramu Q2 2022 Operating Performance
NEWS RELEASE TSX Venture: NKL
FSE: 3JC0
NICKEL 28 RELEASES RAMU Q2 2022 OPERATING PERFORMANCE
TORONTO, ONTARIO, August 4, 2022—Nickel 28 Capital Corp. (“ Nickel 28 ” or the “ Company”)
(TSXV: NKL) (FSE: 3JC0) is pleased to provide operational results for the production quarter ending June
30, 2022 for the Company’s largest asset, being the Ramu Nickel-Cobalt (“Ramu”) integrated operation in
Papua New Guinea. Nickel 28 currently holds an 8.56% joint-venture interest in Ramu which is operated
by the Metallurgical Corporation of China (“MCC”).
Q2 2022 Ramu Highlights:
• Ramu Q2 2022 production of 8,128 tonnes of contained nickel in MHP.
• Ramu Q2 2022 production of 695 tonnes of contained cobalt in MHP.
• Ramu Q2 2022 nickel sales of 6,624 tonnes of contained nickel.
• LME average nickel price of US$13.13/lb. in Q2 2022, a 67% increase from the same period last
year. 2022 H1 LME nickel price is $12.50/lb. compared to nickel price of $7.92/lb. for H1 2021.
• Fast Markets average cobalt price of US$38.19/lb . in Q2 2022, an 81% increase from the same
period last year. 2022 H1 Fast Markets cobalt price of $36.93/lb. compared to cobalt price of
$21.38/lb. for H1 2021.
• Actual cash cost, net of by-product credits of $3.03/lb. of nickel produced as MHP, a 7% increase
from the same period last year. H1 2022 cash cost, ne t of by-product credits of $2.22/lb. of nickel
which is unchanged from the same period in the prior year.
“The second quarter of 2022 was one of unpredictable factors which Ramu has been able to successfully
navigate through” stated Nickel 28’s Chairman, Ant hony Milewski. “The continued conflict in Ukraine
along with the suspension of nickel trading on th e LME in March resulted in significant volatility and
uncertainty in the nickel market. Coupled with signi ficant volatility in input commodities, the consistent
and stable production at Ramu cannot be understated. Sales in Q2 initially improved from Q1 levels as
demand increased for lithium-ion batteries, only to see a nother curtailment due to continued impacts from
the pandemic. We also saw significant price increases in sulphur which impacted our cash cost, however
that was offset by higher by-product credits due to th e strong cobalt price. We expect the balance of 2022
to stabilize as we are seeing demand and commodity prices return to 2021 levels. Sulphur prices have also
returned to less than $100/tonne, down from a peak of $600/tonne in Q2. Our partners continue to
demonstrate why the Ramu operation is considered the best HPAL in the world and we continue to see
strong demand for MHP as the Chinese battery industr y continues to emerge from the global pandemic.”
continued Mr. Milewski.
Ramu’s operating performance for the period are presen ted below along with comparison to prior years,
noting that these figures are unaudited.
2021 2022
Q2 Half Year Q2 Half Year
Ore Processed (dry kt) 829 1,781 810 1,763
MHP Produced (dry tonne) 20,221 43,066 20,402 42,631
Contained Nickel (tonne) 7,773 16,578 8,128 16,884
Contained Cobalt (tonne) 720 1,533 695 1,525
Nickel Capacity Utilization (% of design1) 95% 102% 100% 104%
MHP Shipped (dry tonne) 28,042 50,690 17,384 25,820
Contained Nickel (tonne) 10,975 19,721 6,624 9,960
Contained Cobalt (tonne) 1,003 1,790 627 932
Cash Cost Actual 2 $2.83 $2.22 $3.03 $2.22
Note 1.) Ramu design capacity of 32,600 tonnes/year of nickel contained in MHP
Note 2.) actual cost per pound of nickel contained in MHP net of by-product credits
A. These figures have not been audited and are subject to change. The information presented above has not
been audited by the company's independent accountants , should not be considered a substitute for audited
financial statements, and should not be regarded as a representation by the company as to the actual financial
results.
About Nickel 28
Nickel 28 Capital Corp. is a nickel-cobalt producer through its 8.56% joint-venture interest in the
producing, long-life and world-class Ramu Nickel-Cobalt Operation located in Papua New Guinea. Ramu
provides Nickel 28 with significant attributable nickel and cobalt production thereby offering our
shareholders direct exposure to two metals which are critical to the adoption of electric vehicles. In addition,
Nickel 28 manages a portfolio of 13 nickel and cobalt royalties on development and exploration projects in
Canada, Australia and Papua New Guinea.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains certain information which constitutes ‘forward-looking statements’ and
‘forward-looking information’ within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Any statements
that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-
looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as “may”, “should”,
“anticipate”, “expect”, “potential”, “believe”, “int end” or the negative of these terms and similar
expressions. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to: statements and
figures with respect to the operational and financial results of the Ramu project; statements with respect to
the prospects of nickel and cobalt in the global el ectrification of vehicles; statements related to the
repayment of the Company’s Ramu operating debt (a nd the timing thereof); statements related to the
Company’s attributable cash flow and future cash fl ow receivable by the Company (and the receipt and
timing thereof); statements related to the production impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic; statements related
to future evaluation of mineral resource and reserve estimates by representatives of MCC and the Company;
and statements with respect to the business and assets of the Company and its strategy going forward.
Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, most of which are beyond the Company’s
control. Should one or more of the risks or un certainties underlying these forward-looking statements
materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual
results, performance or achievements could vary materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-
looking statements.
The forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this release and, other than as
required by applicable securities laws, the Company do es not assume any obligation to update or revise
them to reflect new events or circumstances. The forw ard-looking statements contained in this release are
expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in
the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this
release. No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this
news release.
Investor Contact:
Nickel 28 Investor Relations
Tel: 289.314.4766
Email: [email protected]