Australia nickel industry seeks aid as BHP smelter decision looms

Supply glut and lower-cost foreign producers squeeze domestic operators

20240304 nickel sulphate plant that global miner BHP Group

A view of BHP's Nickel West operations, south of Perth. The resources giant is considering suspending operations at Australia's only nickel smelter. © Reuters

SHAUN TURTON, Nikkei staff writer

MELBOURNE -- Pressure is mounting on Australia's government to support beleaguered battery metal producers as BHP mulls shuttering the country's only nickel smelter amid a major supply glut.

Australia's leaders want to transform the resource-rich country into a key supplier of materials for green technology like electric vehicle batteries and boost its role in processing and manufacturing.

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