BHP Group Limited announced that the Nickel West operations and West Musgrave project (Western Australia Nickel) will be temporarily suspended from October 2024. BHP intends to review the decision to temporarily suspend Western Australia Nickel by February 2027. The decision to temporarily suspend Western Australia Nickel follows oversupply in the global nickel market.

Forward consensus nickel prices over the next half of the decade have fallen sharply reflecting strong growth of alternative low-cost nickel supply. During the temporary suspension, BHP will continue to support its workforce and local communities. BHP will invest approximately USD 300 million (AUD 450 million) per annum 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 temporary 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; implement a care and maintenance program of work to ensure the ongoing safety and integrity of its mines and related infrastructure; continue to invest in exploration to extend the resource life of Western Australia Nickel and preserve optionality; and offer Western Australia Nickel frontline employees another role within BHP or the choice of a redundancy and establish a AUD 20 million Community Fund to support local communities during the temporary suspension.