Ah... makes sense - the fund is more for startups, and any...

Ah... makes sense - the fund is more for startups, and any allowance would have been a drop in the ocean.

Ms King said BHP did not access up to $4 billion of critical minerals funding for struggling nickel miners offered by the Albanese government earlier this year. "BHP don't have a capital problem they have a cash flow issue here, and a very significant one. They've tried to work it as best they can."

It [BHP] said the decision will be reviewed in February 2027 and it will continue to invest about $450 million a year to support a potential restart.