Metallurgy is not my field but from my perspective as a geo, my expectation would be that the treatment options would be similar to Heron Resources Kalgoorlie laterite nickel project. HRR have opted for a leap leach operation. As I recall they are in a JV with BHP.
I would have thought that heap leaching would be preferred to the pressure leaching** MLX seems to have opted for considering the arid environment on the SA/WA border. Both methods use a sulfuric acid leach although pressure leaching is much faster and more energy intensive. Heap leaching has the advantage of being a relatively inexpensive for large scale operations.
I don't hold either MLX or HRR.
** From the MRX website "Metallurgical tests carried out on samples from the project have concluded that recoveries of up to 96% Ni and 96% Co by HPAL ("High Pressure Acid Leaching") after 60 minutes reaction time are achievable from the typical Wingellina ore types. Acid additional of approximately 300kg's per tonne and a temperature of 255 degrees Celsius was determined to be optimal."
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