The traditional nickel production and processing hub in Western Australia’s Eastern Goldfields continues to play a critical role as the next generation of explorers and producers race to capitalise on the growing global demand for the commodity as a battery metal.
Recognition that the nickel production and processing supply chain needs to reduce its carbon footprint in-line with the objectives of the emerging battery manufacturing supply chain it seeks to participate in was commonplace in presentations to day one of Paydirt’s Australian Nickel Conference.
BHP Nickel West’s Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter general manager, Matthew Terry
And, it’s not just the junior players ‘talking the talk’ for investors, the State’s largest nickel industry stakeholder, BHP Nickel West, made it abundantly clear that decarbonising its asset portfolio was a high priority for the business.
BHP Nickel West’s Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter general manager Matthew Terry told delegates in order to meet the demand for nickel in a decarbonising world, the company would be increasing the scale of Nickel West through the entire supply chain.
“There are extensive de-bottlenecking opportunities to increase capacity and recovery at each of our operations, such as potentially introducing expanded milling capacity and modern floatation technology to our concentrators,” Mr Terry said.
“As we grow, we refuse to rest on our laurels and we are already looking to introduce new efficient thermal and renewable energy generation into our network, seeking to offset future growth in emissions.”
In regard to its Kalgoorlie operations in particular, Mr Terry said Nickel West’s planned smelter renewal was fundamental to its future.
He said it provided an opportunity to sustain Nickel West’s integrated supply chain, further unlock its own resources and could create a pathway for additional feed sources.
“These investments take a lot of planning and preparation, and we are well advanced in the project, which continues in-line with our approved capital allocation,” Mr Terry said.
“What is clear however, is our commitment to build a lower greenhouse gas emissions and more sustainable smelter.
“Nickel West is already a very sustainable producer relative to our peers, nevertheless we want to continue to improve.”
One part of the smelter renewal plan is to capture nearly all of the operation’s sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions. Presently, a small portion of the smelter’s SO2 emissions escape the operation, with the majority converted into sulphuric acid via the onsite acid plant.
“It is our plan to upgrade the acid plant at the Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter to capture almost all of the sulphur dioxide air emissions generated from the furnace and converter operations,” he said.
“Capturing SO2 is another pathway for us to deliver a more sustainable, responsibly sourced nickel product for our customers.”
