Mirabela Nickel Limited announced that it has started owner operator mining at its Santa Rita open cut nickel sulphide mine in Brazil.

Mirabela said that the mine will start with a production capacity of 4.6 million tonnes per annum moving to a capacity of 6.4 million tonnes per annum in Q2 of 2010 and has a life of 19 years based on proven and probable reserves.

Mr Nick Poll MD of Mirabela Nickel said that "The commencement of owner operator mining at Santa Rita is an important milestone for Mirabela shareholders. Only five years ago we made the largest nickel sulphide discovery in over a decade and we remain on track to be the largest independently owned nickel sulphide project worldwide. This is a great achievement for an independent company and testimony to the benefits of operating in Brazil."

Mirabela Nickel said that stockpiled and pre stripped ore are adequate for commissioning the plant, due to start upon completion of construction in late September 2009.

It added that "This start up schedule allows several months to prepare the mine and mining team for the onset of full production requirements during the ramp up phase."