Nova Operation
NOVA OPERATION
OWNERSHIP
IGO 100%
LOCATION
The Nova Operation is located in the Fraser Range, approximately 160km east-northeast of Norseman, 360km southeast of Kalgoorlie and 380km from the Port of Esperance in Western Australia.
The Ngadju People are the Traditional Owners of the land.
Background
The Nova deposit was discovered in July 2012, with development of the current operation commencing in January 2015. Following a successful construction and commissioning phase, the operation commenced commercial production in July 2017, and reached its nameplate production rate in the December 2017 quarter. Nova is expected to reach its end of life by late 2026.
Production FY25
In FY25, Nova achieved total production of 16,371 tonnes of nickel, 7,324 tonnes of copper, and 581 tonnes of cobalt at a cash cost of A$$5.53/lb Ni (payable).
Update on life of mine
In March 2025 IGO announced that Nova is expected to reach its end of life by late 2026.
IGO is committed to balancing economic, social, and environmental aspects of responsible mine closure. Through transparent engagement and a clear pathway for relinquishment, IGO aims to ensure that our closure legacy is one of shared value and long-term stewardship.
Our approach to mine closure is informed by:
- Western Australian Government’s Guideline for preparing mine closure plans
- Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS) Guidelines for Preparing Mine Closure Plans
- Minerals Council of Australia Towards Sustainable Mining Standard
- ICMM Integrated Mine Closure: Good Practice Guide
- ICMM Handbook: multistakeholder approaches to socio-economic transitions in mining
- Department of Industry, Science and Resources: Leading practice handbooks for sustainable mining
Timeline:
- Submission of a final Mine Closure Plan (MCP) to the Western Australian Department of Mines Petroleum and Exploration (DMPE) is anticipated for mid 2026
- Engagement has already begun with the local community and key stakeholders, and we will continue to provide information and updates as we work towards mine closure.
We encourage feedback from our stakeholders, and you can reach out to us here or you can call us on 0439 133 861 between 9am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.
Other information:
MAKING A 
