In light of the significant and sustained challenges to the Australian nickel industry as a result of global oversupply, BHP has taken the difficult but necessary decision to temporarily suspend our Western Australian Nickel operations.
Like others in the Australian nickel sector, we have not been able to overcome the substantial economic challenges driven by a global oversupply of nickel.
Since late last year we have been working closely and constructively with the Western Australian and Federal governments on how best to jointly respond to the sustained pressure facing the Australian nickel industry.
We welcome the inclusion of nickel on the Critical Minerals List, the production tax incentive proposal, state royalty relief and the significant representation that both Federal and State governments have made to promote positive policy and advocate for responsible production standards of nickel on market platforms and production jurisdictions globally.
Ultimately, the market surplus and lower prices anticipated to persist through the medium term could not be countered by the welcome policy interventions made by the WA and Federal governments.
The unavoidable power of these global market realities is what has compelled BHP in our decision to temporarily suspend operations in this case, not government policies.
BHP has put in place a range of measures which will assist our people, our communities and our partners in the industry manage the impacts of this temporary suspension.
Our industry
As this is a temporary suspension, we will continue to invest around AUD $450 million a year to enable a re-start if the market outlook improves. This will support continued investment in resource exploration and understanding, maintaining the integrity and maintainability of mining operations, smelting and refinery facilities.
BHP is committed to supporting the Western Australian and Federal government's strategies to diversify the WA economy, including through our commitment to work with NeoSmelt partners Rio Tinto and Bluescope to develop the country's first ironmaking Electric Smelting Furnace (ESF) pilot plant. To support this important project, we will continue to work with the WA Government to evaluate land and services for the ESF pilot plant in Kwinana, including a site adjacent to the Nickel West refinery.
We will also commit AUD $5 million toward supporting 30 Goldfields-based apprenticeships in the building and construction industry through the WA Government's GTO wage subsidy program.
Our people
Consistent with BHP values and commitment to our employees and the communities in which we operate, every frontline employee will be offered another role within BHP, and best endeavours will also be made to identify redeployment opportunities for other employees engaged in the day-to-day operations of Western Australia Nickel.
Our communities
BHP is establishing a AUD $20 million Community Fund to support local communities and local businesses in the communities in which WA Nickel operates, and we will work
closely with local suppliers to work through the impacts of this temporary suspension, including by exploring other opportunities to partner with our iron ore business.
We will also work responsibly with our business partners to mitigate adverse supply chain outcomes, including for domestic users of by-products affected by this temporary suspension.
Support for the critical minerals industry
Through our partnerships with Curtin University we will make our Kwinana refinery resources and our technical expertise available for critical minerals research to support the WA Government's Critical Minerals Strategy throughout the period of temporary suspension.
We will also make a financial contribution to the Critical Minerals Advanced Processing common user facility.
