BHP posts higher nickel output after disruptions

Australian resources group BHP lifted its nickel production during April-June as it recovered from planned maintenance and wet weather disruptions in the previous quarter.

BHP's refined nickel production for April-June rose by 22pc against the previous quarter and by 4.5pc from a year earlier to 23,000t. The increased output was a result of a low base in the previous quarter with planned maintenance at the Kwinana refinery in Western Australia (WA) and poor weather conditions in March, the firm said.

Total refined nickel output for the 2023-24 fiscal ending 30 June was 81,600t, up by 2pc from the same period last year.

BHP on 11 July announced that it will temporarily suspend operations at its WA nickel businesses from October, on the back of nickel oversupply and an anticipated nickel price downtrend. BHP has also decided to halt operations at its Kambalda concentrator earlier in February, placing it into a care and maintenance phase from June.

Mining and processing operations at the Kwinana refinery, Kalgoorlie smelter and Mount Keith and Leinster mines will be suspended, while development of the West Musgrave project will be put on hold. BHP will implement a care and maintenance programme to ensure the safety and integrity of its mines and infrastructure.

It will invest around $300mn/yr following the transition period to support a potential restart of the facility. The transition period will start from July, with operations to be halted in October and completely stopped by December. BHP intends to review the closure by February 2027.

BHP expects to record negative earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation of around $300mn for 2023-24 and sustain a further $300mn pre-tax non-cash impairment charge following the temporary suspension decision.