Kolosori is a direct shipping ore nickel laterite project with a mineral resource estimate of 7.06 million tonnes grading at 1.57% nickel.

The project is an 80:20 joint venture between Pacific Nickel and local landowners.

Papua New Guinea-based mining contractor HBS has been on site since August working to accelerate the removal of overburden.

Pacific Nickel chief executive officer Geoff Hiller said first mining of saprolite ore for shipment was a significant milestone for the company and another step towards first revenue.

The ore was delivered to stockpile pads near the island wharf to await first shipment in November.