Developing the Piauí Nickel Project for a resilient critical minerals supply in Brazil
A world-class nickel and cobalt project supporting the energy transition
The Piauí Nickel Project is helping strengthen the future supply of critical minerals needed for electrification and the energy transition. Located in Brazil, the project will produce nickel and cobalt using innovative heap leaching technology with a lower carbon intensity than conventional pyrometallurgical nickel processing.
AFRY supports the client through integrated project management, engineering and Owner's Team services, helping prepare the project for successful execution while strengthening governance, planning and long-term value creation.
Project facts
Client
Brazilian Nickel
Project location
Capitão Gervásio de Oliveira / Piauí, Brazil
AFRY’s services delivered
- Owner's Engineering
- PMO and project governance
- Project planning and controls
- Cost and CapEx management
- Risk management
- Procurement and contract management
- Construction management
- ESG integration and community management
Supporting a large-scale critical minerals project
Developed by Brazilian Nickel, the project aims to establish a large-scale nickel and cobalt operation to meet the growing global demand from industries such as electric mobility and aerospace.
The complexity of the project extends beyond the mine itself. Successful delivery requires the coordinated development of mining operations, processing facilities, infrastructure, permitting, procurement and community engagement, while meeting the technical, environmental and financial requirements expected of a modern mining investment.
Acting as an extension of the Owner's Team
AFRY has worked alongside the client as an integrated part of the Owner's Team, providing multidisciplinary support from project planning through construction readiness.
The scope includes:
- Project governance and PMO
- Integrated project planning and controls
- Cost and CapEx management
- Risk management
- Owner's engineering and technical validation
- Procurement and contract support
- Construction management
- Community and stakeholder coordination
By bringing together engineering, project management and governance expertise, AFRY has helped create a structured framework for decision-making while supporting collaboration across multiple technical disciplines and stakeholders.
AFRY offers a sustainable mining approach
Strengthening project readiness
Large-scale mining projects require robust planning long before construction begins. AFRY supported the client in establishing integrated planning processes, strengthening project controls and improving visibility of schedule, cost and project risks.
The collaboration also supported the project's preparation for Final Investment Decision (FID), helping improve organizational maturity and providing greater confidence in project execution.
Enabling responsible growth
The Piauí Nickel Project has been designed to support the growing demand for critical minerals while integrating environmental and social considerations throughout the project lifecycle.
The project incorporates heap leaching technology with lower carbon intensity than conventional pyrometallurgical nickel production, avoids the need for conventional tailings dams and includes more energy-efficient process solutions.
By combining technical excellence, integrated project delivery and responsible development practices, AFRY is helping create the foundation for a competitive and resilient supply of critical minerals for the global energy transition.
Highlights
- Acting as an integrated extension of the Owner's Team from planning through construction readiness.
- Helping strengthen governance, project controls and investment readiness for a complex, multi-billion-dollar mining development.
- Supporting a project based on lower-carbon heap leaching technology and a development model that avoids conventional tailings dams.
