CSIRO is a government department, they are looking for validation of process/to do research. CSIRO spun out direct nickel which QPM have an agreement with so I believe they have an interest in validating the process.
Shipping is relatively inexpensive. It only costs $12/t to ship stuff to china for instance. New Cal is a lot closer than that. The fact that the refinery will be close to port helps a lot. Shipping is probably one of the least expensive modes of transport. When you consider deposits that are a vast distance from port and have to truck then rail to port. Not to mention in future this refinery can source ore from multiple locations given its location.
Shipping ore has eliminated the cost and risk involved in mining. Ask Gascoyne shareholders about the risks of mine implementation.
