From AFR: BHP to suspend WA nickel operations BHP will...

From AFR:

BHP to suspend WA nickel operations

BHP will temporarily suspend its Nickel West operations and West Musgrave project from October due to oversupply in the global nickel market.

BHP said it intends to review the decision by February 2027.

“Forward consensus nickel prices over the next half of the decade have fallen sharply reflecting strong growth of alternative low-cost nickel supply,” the company said in a statement.

BHP said it will continue to support its workforce and local communities during the suspension by investing around US$300 million ($450 million) each year following completion of a transition period to support a potential re-start of Western Australia Nickel.

The transition period will commence from July 2024. Operations will be suspended in October 2024 and handover activities for temporary suspension will be completed by December 2024.

During the suspension, BHP will suspend mining and processing operations at the Kwinana nickel refinery, Kalgoorlie nickel smelter and Mt Keith and Leinster operations and the development of the West Musgrave project.