If you look at the Clean Teq flow sheets and proposed methods,...

If you look at the Clean Teq flow sheets and proposed methods, you will see that their process cuts out a lot of steps compared to existing processes, laterite or otherwise. They go directly from the HPAL slurry into the Clean iX step, and out come sulfates on the other side.

Thus, big opex savings on the process side are anticipated against any conventional process.

What is open to question is whether they will be able to prove it, and deliver big savings when they go into production.

Several qualified engineers have opined on the subject on various threads.

Until it is actually done, the possibility of disappointment must be conceded, as no one has applied Clean iX on big scale in nickel laterites. Sunrise is the first.

IMO Sunrise will be very successful. Multotec has specifically called out that the technology is applicable to laterites, and the CLQ demo plant has been operating for months and months using the same ore and process contemplated for Sunrise. Some will be persuaded by this, others may not be.

But again, until Sunrise has results, it is not unreasonable for people to have doubt.

As far as joining forces with other projects...I think if and when Sunrise has industry-beating cost figures established,
then the other regional players have to consider that it may be "better to join them if you can't beat them." In that situation, they will be facing project forecasts that look miserable compared to CLQ.

Why spend $500 mil or a billion for another mine, to do something CLQ is doing better and cheaper and faster, and the CLQ capex is already spent and Sunrise mine is built ?