Junior nickel explorer Rusina Mining is one step away from completing its planned merger with UK-based joint venture partner European Nickel.

Rusina investors overwhelmingly approved the tie-up at a scheme meeting in Perth.

The transaction only requires Federal Court approval later this month to proceed.

Rusina chief executive Rob Gregory told shareholders the merged group would be a significant nickel development company with assets in Asia, the Balkans and Turkey.

Rusina says the merger is a logical outcome of the companies' $US498 million ($A598.5 million) Acoje joint venture in the Philippines, consolidating the project's ownership structure ahead of critical development and financing decisions.

However, the first project the merged entity will focus on is European Nickel's Caldag project in Turkey, which is expected to have a 14-year mine life.