"Nickel recovery into solution has risen to 55%, improving from the previously reported figure of 31.6% on July24," the company said.

"Recovery is rising at about 5% per week towards a target level of 70%."

The kinetics of the oxidation and dissolution process are also continuing at a rate that exceeds predictions by 200%.

Titan is the first in the world to use bacteria heap leaching to treat nickel (pentlandite) ores. If successful, it will lower operating and capital costs for nickel producers, improving the outlook for many low-grade ore bodies.

The future of the company is very closely tied to the success or failure of the process. It has been unable to find more high-grade ore around its Radio Hill mine, near Dampier in Western Australia, so it is relying on the heap leaching to extend the mine life past 2002.

If the bacteria do their job, it should allow a smooth transition from conventional sulphide production (sourced from high-grade ore) to bacterial production (sourced from low-grade ore).

Just as importantly, the process could enable the company to market its expertise to companies sitting on large, low-grade nickel sulphide deposits.