Horizonte Minerals PLC Announces Award of EPCM Contract to AFRY

Award of EPCM Contract to AFRY for Construction of the Araguaia Ferronickel Project

Horizonte Minerals Plc, (AIM:HZM)(TSX:HZM) the nickel development company focused in Brazil, is pleased to announce that it has awarded the Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management contract (the "EPCM Contract") for the construction of its 100% owned Araguaia ferronickel project ("Araguaia" or the "Project") to Pöyry Tecnologia Ltda ("Pöyry"), the Brazilian subsidiary of global engineering services firm AFRY

AFRY is a global leader in engineering, design and advisory services with specialist expertise and a strong track record in delivering pyrometallurgical projects for the metals and mining industry. Award of the EPCM Contract to AFRY follows a comprehensive and competitive global tender process.

The EPCM Contract, awarded via the Company's wholly owned subsidiary Araguaia Niquel Metais Ltda., involves the provision of a comprehensive range of services across engineering, procurement, construction management, project management and commissioning.

In line with the award of the EPCM contract, Horizonte has been building an experienced owner's team to work alongside AFRY. Under the guidance of Mike Drake, as Head of Projects, the Company has assembled a strong project leadership team with a successful track record of implementing large scale projects in Brazil with a particularl focus on the ferronickel industry. The project leadership team is now complete and mobilised at both the Company's Belo Horizonte and Conceição do Araguaia offices. The full owner's team totals 85 people across all key disciplines.

Horizonte's owner's team will work closely with Pöyry to provide direction and governance. Pöyry has been working with the Company since Q3 2021 to undertake early works and other execution preparation phase services.

Recent appointments to the Araguaia Project Leadership Team include:

  • Leonardo Vianna, Araguaia Project Director

Leo is a Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineer with over 24 years of experience in project implementation & management. He was previously Project Director for Vale's B$1.9B Bahodopi nickel project (REKEF processing plant) in Asia. He has significant experience in Project Management (FEL methodology and PMI), Engineering, Construction, Maintenance and Health & Safety and has worked in Brazil, Mozambique, South Africa, Guinea, United Arab Emirates.

  • Leonardo Paiva, Project Services Manager

Leo is a Civil Engineer with over 16 years of experience in the industry. Most recently he was Head of Projects for MRN with its life of mine plan extension project. Previously he worked in Arcadis for 12 years with Project and Program Management of major industrial and infrastructure projects in Brazil, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Peru, with a focus on the mining industry, from conception to completion.

  • Marcia Wiesen, Commissioning and Business Readiness Manager

Marcia is an electrical engineer withover 30 years of experience building and commissioning electric furnaces. Marcia's previous roles include Commissioning Manager of Vale's Onca Puma ferronickel plant with two reduction furnace of 120MVA, Commissioning Director of Koniambo Nickel ferronickel plant with two reduction furnace of 80MVA and, Site Manager of SMS Siemag, of erection, cold and hot commissioning of two 48MVA ferronickel reduction furnaces at Minera Loma de Níquel,

  • Marco Magalhães, Construction Manager

Marco is a Civil Engineer with over 30 years of experience primarily in mine operation and capital projects. Most recently, he led the entire construction process for Appian's Serrote Project in Brazil. He has 12 years of experience in the construction, contract management, commissioning, and start-up phases in the Mina Brucutu and Coal Moatize projects by Vale SA and Minas Rio by Anglo American.

  • Albert Jacobs, Engineering Manager

Albert is aMechanical Engineer with over 30 years of experience in pryometallurgy and smelting. Albert has extensive experience in managing small- and large-scale projects from inception to final handover, developing project plans, standards, procedures, manuals and systems, growing teams, managing stakeholders, performing planning, monitoring and control functions, and ensuring efficient project completion & close-out). His previous roles include Engineering Manager roles at Anglo American, HATCH and Kumba Iron ore.

  • Manuel Rodriguez, Technical Manager

Manuel is anexperienced Metallurgical and Material Engineer, with over 20 years of experience in the ferronickel industry. He previously spent 11 years as Process Engineer for Anglo American's Barro Alto project, optimising refractories for electrical furnace, refinery, workforce training & development, and improving ore preparation, rotary kilns, refractories and RKEF processes.

Horizonte CEO, Jeremy Martin commented: "We are delighted to welcome AFRY, another world class partner to the team for the construction of the Araguaia project. AFRY is a leader in its field and has a strong track record of successfully delivering metals and mining projects. We have been working with the local Pöyry team for several months in our project execution planning phase to ensure a smooth transfer to the construction phase of Araguaia. Araguaia will be delivered according to an EPCM strategy, in partnership with AFRY. The Horizonte owner's team will be integrated into the AFRY team with clear roles and responsibilities which is standard practice in Brazil.

In parallel with the award of the EPCM contract we have built out our owner's team with a focus on key individuals in the ferronickel space in Brazil, resulting in the Company we now having a very strong in-country team. The quality of the Araguaia project, the relevance of the nickel industry in the clean energy transition and Horizonte's high sustainability standards has enabled us to secure the industry's leading talent."

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of EU Regulation 596/2014, as retained in the UK pursuant to S3 of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

For further information, visit www.horizonteminerals.com or contact:

Horizonte Minerals plc

Jeremy Martin (CEO)
Anna Legge (Corporate Communications)

info@horizonteminerals.com
+44 (0) 203 356 2901

Peel Hunt LLP (Nominated Adviser & Joint Broker)

Ross Allister
David McKeown

+44 (0)20 7418 8900

BMO (Joint Broker)

Thomas Rider
Pascal Lussier Duquette
Andrew Cameron

+44 (0) 20 7236 1010

About Horizonte Minerals:

Horizonte Minerals plc (AIM & TSX: HZM) is developing two 100% owned, tier one projects in Parà state, Brazil - the Araguaia Nickel Project and the Vermelho Nickel-Cobalt Project. Both projects are large scale, high-grade, low-cost, low-carbon and scalable. Araguaia is fully funded and in construction. The project will produce 29,000 tonnes of nickel per year to supply the stainless steel market. Vermelho is at feasibility study stage and will produce 25,000 tonnes of nickel and 1,250 tonnes of cobalt to supply the EV battery market. Horizonte's combined near-term production profile of over 50,000 tonnes of nickel per year positions the Company as a globally significant nickel producer. Horizonte is developing a new nickel district in Brazil that will benefit from established infrastructure, including hydroelectric power available in the Carajás Mining District.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION

Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, certain information contained in this press release constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, the ability of the Company to complete the acquisition of equipment as described herein, statements with respect to the potential of the Company's current or future property mineral projects; the ability of the Company to complete a positive feasibility study regarding the second RKEF line at Araguaia on time, or at all, the success of exploration and mining activities; cost and timing of future exploration, production and development; the costs and timing for delivery of the equipment to be purchased as described herein, the estimation of mineral resources and reserves and the ability of the Company to achieve its goals in respect of growing its mineral resources; the realization of mineral resource and reserve estimates and achieving production in accordance with the Company's potential production profile or at all. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, and are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to risks related to: the inability of the Company to complete the acquisition of equipment contemplated herein, on time or at all, the ability of the Company to complete a positive feasibility study regarding the implementation of a second RKEF line at Araguaia on the timeline contemplated or at all, exploration and mining risks, competition from competitors with greater capital; the Company's lack of experience with respect to development-stage mining operations; fluctuations in metal prices; uninsured risks; environmental and other regulatory requirements; exploration, mining and other licences; the Company's future payment obligations; potential disputes with respect to the Company's title to, and the area of, its mining concessions; the Company's dependence on its ability to obtain sufficient financing in the future; the Company's dependence on its relationships with third parties; the Company's joint ventures; the potential of currency fluctuations and political or economic instability in countries in which the Company operates; currency exchange fluctuations; the Company's ability to manage its growth effectively; the trading market for the ordinary shares of the Company; uncertainty with respect to the Company's plans to continue to develop its operations and new projects; the Company's dependence on key personnel; possible conflicts of interest of directors and officers of the Company, and various risks associated with the legal and regulatory framework within which the Company operates, together with the risks identified and disclosed in the Company's disclosure record available on the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, including without limitation, the annual information for of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2020, the Araguaia Report and the Vermehlo Report. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

SOURCE: Horizonte Minerals PLC



View source version on accesswire.com:
https://www.accesswire.com/694099/Horizonte-Minerals-PLC-Announces-Award-of-EPCM-Contract-to-AFRY

News Provided by ACCESSWIRE via QuoteMedia

HZM:CA,HZM:LN
The Conversation (0)
Nickel bars in front of a world map.

Top 9 Nickel-producing Countries

The top nickel producing countries list has been shaken in recent years by Indonesia's rapid rise to the top, beating the Philippines and New Caledonia.

Demand for nickel is mounting. Stainless steel accounts for the vast majority of nickel demand, but electric vehicle (EV) batteries represent a growing application for the base metal as the shift toward a greener future gains steam.

But while nickel's long-term outlook appears bright, it may face headwinds in the short term. Nickel prices have been trending down since breaking US$20,000 per metric ton in May 2024 as weak usage coincides with strong output from top producer Indonesia.

Keep reading...Show less

First Atlantic Nickel to Attend Benchmark Mineral Intelligence's GIGA USA 2025 Conference, Highlighting Atlantic Nickel Project's Smelter-Free Processing for North America's Critical Minerals Supply Chain

First Atlantic Nickel Corp. (TSXV: FAN) (OTCQB: FANCF) (FSE: P21) ("First Atlantic" or the "Company") is pleased to announce its participation at the Benchmark Mineral Intelligence GIGA USA 2025 conference, taking place June 3-4, 2025, in Washington, DC. The Company will participate in strategic meetings during this critical mineral conference to demonstrate how its Atlantic Nickel Project addresses the growing need for nickel mining that can be completely processed in North America. The Atlantic Nickel Project contains nickel in the form of awaruite, a naturally occurring, sulfur-free, highly magnetic mineral with approximately 75% nickel content. These unique properties enable direct processing through magnetic separation and flotation, eliminating reliance on foreign overseas smelting or roasting operations. This simplified mineral processing method significantly lowers energy requirements and reduces environmental impacts, strengthening the development of a resilient, domestic critical minerals supply chain.

The GIGA USA conference brings together key players from across the critical minerals sector for two days of networking, dealmaking, and policy discussions. Attendees include major automakers such as Tesla, Ford, General Motors, Rivian, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen; battery manufacturers like LG Energy Solutions, Samsung SDI, and Panasonic Energy; and global mining companies including Rio Tinto, Vale, Glencore, South32, and Anglo American. Government representatives from the U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of State, the Government of Quebec, the Embassy of Canada, and the Delegation of the European Union will also attend. Conference topics will address the expansion of the United States' lithium-ion battery gigafactory industry and the need to establish secure, sustainable supply chains for critical raw materials, including lithium, nickel, graphite, cobalt, manganese and rare earth elements.

The conference addresses key areas of focus including strengthening the U.S. critical minerals supply chain through domestic production and expanded gigafactory capacity, examining policy and trade impacts, such as the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), and enhancing national security through critical mineral independence. The conference will also focus on investment and financing opportunities for next-generation mining projects, innovations in battery technology and sustainability, and the importance of global collaboration and strategic partnerships.

The Company's Atlantic Nickel Project offers a secure and reliable solution for domestic nickel production. By leveraging awaruite's sulfur-free composition, high nickel content and magnetic properties, the project enables simple processing through magnetic separation and flotation without the need for secondary processing such as smelting or roasting. Unlike traditional nickel sulfide and laterite projects that undergo energy-intensive processes creating harmful waste and emissions, awaruite's metallurgical properties enable complete domestic nickel production while eliminating reliance on overseas processing. The lower energy requirements and sulfur-free nature of awaruite result in a reduced carbon and environmental footprint. The Company remains committed to strengthening North American critical minerals supply chains, with the Atlantic Nickel Project positioned to provide a secure, reliable nickel source for North American industries including electric vehicles, batteries, defense, and stainless steel manufacturing.

Conference Meeting Requests

First Atlantic welcomes the opportunity to meet with strategic partners, shareholders and investors during the GIGA USA 2025 conference. Interested parties are encouraged to contact Rob Guzman at rob@fanickel.com or by phone at 844-592-6337 to arrange meetings. The conference takes place June 3-4, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Phase 2 Drilling Update

The Phase 2 drilling program is currently underway and successfully expanding the awaruite mineralization identified in multiple drill holes during the Phase 1 campaign. Technical improvements, including optimized HQ/NQ drill configurations and enhanced drill bit selection, have enabled the current program to reach greater depths than previously achieved. The Company anticipated providing updates on the Phase 2 drill holes in the coming weeks.

For further information, questions, or investor inquiries, please contact Rob Guzman at First Atlantic Nickel by phone at +1-844-592-6337 or via email at rob@fanickel.com

Corporate Update

The Company also announces that on May 21, 2025 it closed the definitive agreement dated May 6, 2025 (the "Purchase Agreement") to acquire a 100% interest in eight mineral licenses totaling approximately 3,350 hectares. These licenses are strategically located around the Company's Atlantic Nickel Project in central Newfoundland, in the Cold Spring Pod and Coy Pond areas. Under the terms of the Purchase Agreement, the Company has issued 1,000,000 Shares at a deemed price of $0.205 per Share. These Shares are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day, in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. And further to its May 6, 2025 news release, it closed the previously announced settlement agreement (the "Settlement Agreement") on May 22, 2025, to settle outstanding obligations totaling $202,950 owed to an arm's length creditor (the "Creditor") related to accounting services provided under a consulting agreement dating back to 2017. Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, the Company has issued an aggregate of 312,500 common shares (each, a "Share") at a deemed price of $0.32 per Share. These Shares will be released in three equal tranches over a 12-month period and are subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day, in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws.

Awaruite (Nickel-iron alloy Ni₂Fe, Ni₃Fe)

Awaruite, a naturally occurring sulfur-free nickel-iron alloy composed of Ni₃Fe or Ni₂Fe with approximately ~75% nickel content, offers a proven and environmentally safe solution to enhance the resilience and security of North America's domestic critical minerals supply chain. Unlike conventional nickel sources, awaruite can be processed into high-grade concentrates exceeding 60% nickel content through magnetic processing and simple floatation without the need for smelting, roasting, or high-pressure acid leaching 1 . Beginning in 2025, the US Inflation Reduction Act's (IRA) $7,500 electric vehicle (EV) tax credit mandates that eligible clean vehicles must not contain any critical minerals processed by foreign entities of concern (FEOC) 2 . These entities include Russia and China, which currently dominate the global nickel smelting industry. Awaruite's smelter-free processing approach could potentially help North American electric vehicle manufacturers meet the IRA's stringent critical mineral requirements and reduce dependence on FEOCs for nickel processing.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) highlighted awaruite's potential, stating, "The development of awaruite deposits in other parts of Canada may help alleviate any prolonged shortage of nickel concentrate. Awaruite, a natural iron-nickel alloy, is much easier to concentrate than pentlandite, the principal sulfide of nickel." 3 Awaruite's unique properties enable cleaner and safer processing compared to conventional sulfide and laterite nickel sources, which often involve smelting, roasting, or high-pressure acid leaching that can release toxic sulfur dioxide, generate hazardous waste, and lead to acid mine drainage. Awaruite's simpler processing, facilitated by its amenability to magnetic processing and lack of sulfur, eliminates these harmful methods, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and risks associated with toxic chemical release, addressing concerns about the large carbon footprint and toxic emissions linked to nickel refining.

First Atlantic Nickel Corp.

Figure 1: Quote from USGS on Awaruite Deposits in Canada

The development of awaruite resources is crucial, given China's control in the global nickel market. Chinese companies refine and smelt 68% to 80% of the world's nickel 4 and control an estimated 84% of Indonesia's nickel output, the largest worldwide supply 5 . Awaruite is a cleaner source of nickel that reduces dependence on foreign processing controlled by China, leading to a more secure and reliable supply for North America's stainless steel and electric vehicle industries.

Investor Information

The Company's common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol " FAN ", the American OTCQB Exchange under the symbol " FANCF " and on several German exchanges, including Frankfurt and Tradegate, under the symbol " P21 ".

Investors can get updates about First Atlantic by signing up to receive news via email and SMS text at www.fanickel.com . Stay connected and learn more by following us on these social media platforms:

https://x.com/FirstAtlanticNi

https://www.facebook.com/fanickelcorp

https://www.linkedin.com/company/firstatlanticnickel/

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
First Atlantic Investor Relations
Robert Guzman
Tel: +1 844 592 6337
rob@fanickel.com

Disclosure

Adrian Smith, P.Geo., a director and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company is a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101. The qualified person is a member in good standing of the Professional Engineers and Geoscientists Newfoundland and Labrador (PEGNL) and is a registered professional geoscientist (P.Geo.). Mr. Smith has reviewed and approved the technical information disclosed herein.

About First Atlantic Nickel Corp.

First Atlantic Nickel Corp. (TSXV: FAN) (OTCQB: FANCF) (FSE: P21) is a Canadian mineral exploration company developing the 100%-owned Atlantic Nickel Project, a large-scale nickel project strategically located near existing infrastructure in Newfoundland, Canada. The Project's nickel occurs as awaruite, a natural nickel-iron alloy containing approximately 75% nickel with no-sulfur and no-sulfides. Awaruite's properties allow for smelter-free magnetic separation and concentration, which could strengthen North America's critical minerals supply chain by reducing foreign dependence on nickel smelting. This aligns with new US Electric Vehicle US IRA requirements, which stipulate that beginning in 2025, an eligible clean vehicle may not contain any critical minerals processed by a FEOC (Foreign Entities Of Concern) 6 .

First Atlantic aims to be a key input of a secure and reliable North American critical minerals supply chain for the stainless steel and electric vehicle industries in the USA and Canada. The company is positioned to meet the growing demand for responsibly sourced nickel that complies with the critical mineral requirements for eligible clean vehicles under the US IRA. With its commitment to responsible practices and experienced team, First Atlantic is poised to contribute significantly to the nickel industry's future, supporting the transition to a cleaner energy landscape. This mission gained importance when the US added nickel to its critical minerals list in 2022, recognizing it as a non-fuel mineral essential to economic and national security with a supply chain vulnerable to disruption.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking statements:

This news release may include "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking information reflects management's current beliefs and are based on a number of estimates and/or assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information.

Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to: statements regarding: the timing, scope and results of the Company's Phase 1 and Phase 2 work and drilling programs; future project developments; the Company's objectives, goals, and future plans; statements and estimates of market conditions; the viability of magnetic separation as a low-impact processing method for awaruite; the strategic and economic implications of the Company's projects   ; and expectations regarding future developments and strategic plans;   Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking information are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, uncertain and volatile equity and capital markets, lack of available capital, actual results of exploration activities, environmental risks, future prices of base and other metals, operating risks, accidents, labour issues, delays in obtaining governmental approvals and permits, and other risks in the mining and clean energy industries. Additional factors and risks including various risk factors discussed in the Company's disclosure documents which can be found under the Company's profile on http://www.sedarplus.ca. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected.

The Company is presently an exploration stage company. Exploration is highly speculative in nature, involves many risks, requires substantial expenditures, and may not result in the discovery of mineral deposits that can be mined profitably. Furthermore, the Company currently has no mineral reserves on any of its properties. As a result, there can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information, except as required by applicable securities laws.

News Provided by GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia

Keep reading...Show less
Ni-Co Energy

Ni-Co Energy Set to Mobilize Critical Minerals Exploration just 90 km from Montreal

Ni-Co Energy Inc. announces that its technical team will be mobilized to the Kremer property around mid-June 2025. The project is located approximately 90 km north of downtown Montreal and about 15 km from the nearest municipality, in a remote forested area with access via an existing road and close proximity to the hydroelectric grid.

Meet The Team:

Keep reading...Show less
Nickel Outlook: World Edition

Nickel Outlook: World Edition

Nickel Outlook: World Edition

Investing in nickel? Let our experts help you stay ahead of the markets.

✓ Trends✓ Forecasts✓ Top Stocks

Who We Are

The Investing News Network is a growing network of authoritative publications delivering independent, unbiased news and education for investors. We deliver knowledgeable, carefully curated coverage of a variety of markets including gold, cannabis, biotech and many others. This means you read nothing but the best from the entire world of investing advice, and never have to waste your valuable time doing hours, days or weeks of research yourself.

Keep reading...Show less

First Atlantic Nickel Extends Strike Length of RPM Zone Discovery by 400 Meters, Intersecting .23% Nickel Over 396 Meters in Fourth Drill Hole

First Atlantic Nickel Corp. (TSXV: FAN) (OTCQB: FANCF) (FSE: P21) ("First Atlantic" or the "Company") is excited to report assay results from drill hole AN-24-05, the fourth and final hole of the Phase 1 drilling program at the RPM Zone, located within its 100%-owned Atlantic Nickel Project in central Newfoundland. This hole, positioned as a 400-meter step-out to the north of the initial discovery hole (AN-24-02), intersected 396 meters grading 0.23% nickel and 0.29% chromium, starting after 6 meters of overburden and continuing to the end of the hole. These results confirm an initial 400-meter north-south mineralized strike length of near surface mineralization.

News Provided by GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia

Keep reading...Show less

Latest Press Releases

Related News

×