BHP Billiton plans to acquire a nickel mine of Nornickel in Western Australia

Published: Jun 22, 2020 08:16
[BHP Billiton plans to acquire a nickel mine of Nornickel in Western Australia] BHP Billiton will buy a set of nickel mining rights in Western Australia for an undisclosed amount from Nornickel, the world's largest high-grade nickel producer and Russian mining giant. The proposed acquisition will include Nornickel's new nickel development project, the, Honeymoon Well nickel development project, and (JV), a joint venture between Albion Downs North and Jericho in the northern Goldfields region.

SMM6: recently, BHP Billiton will buy a set of nickel mining rights in Western Australia from Nornickel, the world's largest high-grade nickel producer and Russian mining giant, for an undisclosed amount. The proposed acquisition will include Nornickel's new nickel development project, the, Honeymoon Well nickel development project, and (JV), a joint venture between Albion Downs North and Jericho in the northern Goldfields region.

BHP currently owns 50 per cent of the joint venture and is the last remaining Australian asset in Norilsk's portfolio. The mine has a wedge-shaped tail deposit, which contains high-grade nickel sulphide resources and spreads sulphide resources in the form of BHP Billiton's Mt Keith and Yakabindie nickel orebodies.

Eddie Hagrid, president of BHP Billiton Nickel Western Asset, said, "Nickel remains an important input in new technologies that will improve battery storage for renewable energy and electric vehicle manufacturing." Based on our strategy of investing in the commodities we face in the future, this transaction enables us to explore and develop these potential nickel sulphide mining rights. "

BHP sold more than 75 per cent of its nickel to global battery suppliers. The combined concession package is 50 km from the Keith Mountain Nickel Mine and 100 km from the Lester Concentrator. Nornickel said BHP Billiton has an in-depth understanding of the project, which is expected to simplify the completion of the deal.

Dubovitsky, Senior Vice President of Strategy, Strategic projects, Logistics and Purchasing at Sergey said, "through the sale of Honeymoon Well Nickel, we have completed a strategic exit from our Australian business and increased our focus on Tier-1 portfolio development in Russia, and we thank BHP Billiton for being our joint venture partner in Australia and for their commitment to the speedy execution of the transaction.

It is reported that the deal is subject to regulatory approval and other transaction conditions. BHP Billiton Western Nickel is a fully integrated mineral-to-market nickel business with more than 3500 employees and contractors. All its mines, concentrators, smelters and refineries are located in Western Australia.

2020 China Ni-Cr stainless Steel Industry Market and Application Development Forum

Scan the QR code, apply for participation or join the SMM metal exchange group

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM‘s internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or to learn more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn
For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn
Related News
High-Grade NPI Smelter Profits Squeezed as Ore Prices Rise and Sales Prices Dip
Feb 7, 2026 16:41
High-Grade NPI Smelter Profits Squeezed as Ore Prices Rise and Sales Prices Dip
Read More
High-Grade NPI Smelter Profits Squeezed as Ore Prices Rise and Sales Prices Dip
High-Grade NPI Smelter Profits Squeezed as Ore Prices Rise and Sales Prices Dip
[SMM Nickel Flash] Based on nickel ore prices from 25 days ago, smelter profits for high-grade NPI remained high this week. However, from the current raw material side, ore prices from both the Philippines and Indonesia increased, while auxiliary material prices saw a slight pullback, leading to an increase in the cash cost of producing high-grade NPI from spot ore. At the same time, high-grade NPI prices experienced some pullback, making it difficult for smelter profits to see sustained improvement.
Feb 7, 2026 16:41
High-Grade NPI Prices Fall, Expected to Stabilize as Chinese New Year Approaches
Feb 7, 2026 16:40
High-Grade NPI Prices Fall, Expected to Stabilize as Chinese New Year Approaches
Read More
High-Grade NPI Prices Fall, Expected to Stabilize as Chinese New Year Approaches
High-Grade NPI Prices Fall, Expected to Stabilize as Chinese New Year Approaches
[SMM Nickel Flash] This week, due to a sharp decline in futures triggering arbitrage selling, high-grade NPI prices fell significantly. However, after the selling activity subsided, upstream quotations and the market center gradually returned to normal levels, supported by cost factors. Looking ahead, as the Chinese New Year holiday approaches, market activity is expected to remain subdued, and high-grade NPI prices are projected to hover at highs with limited fluctuations.
Feb 7, 2026 16:40
Nickel Prices Drop: SMM 10-12% High-Grade NPI Down 17.2 Yuan, Indonesia NPI FOB Index Falls 2.06 $/mtu
Feb 7, 2026 16:39
Nickel Prices Drop: SMM 10-12% High-Grade NPI Down 17.2 Yuan, Indonesia NPI FOB Index Falls 2.06 $/mtu
Read More
Nickel Prices Drop: SMM 10-12% High-Grade NPI Down 17.2 Yuan, Indonesia NPI FOB Index Falls 2.06 $/mtu
Nickel Prices Drop: SMM 10-12% High-Grade NPI Down 17.2 Yuan, Indonesia NPI FOB Index Falls 2.06 $/mtu
[SMM Nickel Flash] The SMM average price of 10-12% high-grade NPI fell 17.2 yuan/mtu WoW to 1,035.8 yuan/mtu (ex-factory, tax included), while the Indonesia NPI FOB index average price dropped 2.06 $/mtu WoW to 131.2 $/mtu. At the beginning of the week, futures hit limit-down, and nickel prices fell sharply WoW, driving the emergence of arbitrage supplies sold at low prices, leading to a significant decline in high-grade NPI prices.
Feb 7, 2026 16:39