(19)

(11)

EP 1 769 092 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 04.04.2007 Bulletin 2007/14 (21) Application number: 05752409.2 (22) Date of filing: 22.06.2005

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  C22B 3/08(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/AU2005/000901 (87) International publication number: WO 2006/000020 (05.01.2006 Gazette 2006/01)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR Designated Extension States: AL BA YU (30) Priority: 29.06.2004 AU 2004903514 (71) Applicant: European Nickel Plc Bracknell RG12 1WA (GB)	(72) Inventor: HUNTER, Colin, John Floreat, Western Australia 6014 (AU) (74) Representative: Lees, Kate Jane  Marks & Clerk Tower Building Water Street Liverpool L3 1BA Liverpool L3 1BA (GB)