Proto Resources befindet sich aktuell in einer entscheidenden Phase vom Übergang eines Explorers zum Nickel Produzent. Trotz einiger Verschiebungen des Hauptprojektes Barnes Hill äussert sich CEO Andrew Mortimer "relativ" optimistisch zur allgemeinen Lage und für das laufende Jahr. (Den Text habe ich in der Originalsprache belassen) In the year 2012 the annuel world nickel production reached 2,1 million tonnes. This has a worth about 31 billion $. Analysts forecast an increase in demand from the emerging economies and china.
How do you see the potential of the Barrier Bay technology in this huge market? AM: I do believe that the Barrier Bay technology has brought applicability and that the majors in particular would enjoy very substantial benefits from the technology.
There are many nickel companies with high cost nickel production. Some of the major mining companies like BHP Billiton and Norilsk Nickel have just closed their mines.
Do you see the potential so sell the technology to this majors? AM: We currently have approaches from a number of potential customers and Barrier Bay is looking to proceed to formal agreements with them. The technology is still in developing but has just worked successfully in the pilot facility. There are still a lot of work to do.
Could you give me a short update on this works? AM: We are looking to build a demonstration plant later this year for the Barnes Hill project, however, there are some outstanding details to finalise first.
The current value of Proto Resources is very low, so investors has the chance to accumulate Proto shares.
Do you expect an increase of interest on Proto Resources in the next couple of month? AM: In relation to Proto itself, I expect the company to close higher by the end of the year off the back of copper gold exploration success and further exploration success and discovery at the Clara Hills project in Western Australia. We are currently being shown a lot of opportunities and so I am confident we can add further value in the short term. However, with the tough market I do believe that investors should take a long term approach as the short term since the last 12 months have been very bumpy.
Proto Resources is aiming to be a global significant nickel producer. There are a lot of finished steps to reach this target. The company is just a little step away to make the change from explorer to producer.
Where do you see Proto Resources at the end of this year? AM: Proto is exploring the Lindemans Bore project in the Northern Territory with the fourth drill hole because the company believes that there is the potential for a very substantial even world class mineralisation there and Proto’s exploration has started to enjoy better success this year with the Clara Hills nickel copper discovery. While there is a lot going on with the Barnes Hill project financing at the moment, unfortunately, there is nothing definitive to announce at present. However, we are making progress despite the nickel price.
Andrew, thanks a lot for this short interview.
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