The project investment deal may be finalised in the first half of 2023 and would be worth around 2.4 billion euros ($2.59 billion) with an output capacity of 67,000 tonnes of nickel and 7,500 tonnes of cobalt per year, BASF chief executive Martin Brudermüller was cited by the ministry as saying.

BASF and Eramet could not immediately be reached for comment.

($1 = 0.9270 euros)

(Reporting by Bernadette Christina; Editing by Ed Davies)