❓ A WA parliamentary question regarding BHP Billiton's plans for Worsley Alumina and Nickel West, specifically seeking information on discussions and assurances for ongoing employment. The Minister's response indicates no discussions about Worsley Alumina, acknowledges BHP is reviewing Nickel West's future, and expresses optimism about the mining industry's overall growth in WA.
AnsweredQoN 213Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
BHP BILLITON — WORSLEY ALUMINA AND NICKEL
WEST
213. Mr W.J. JOHNSTON to the Minister for
State Development:
I refer to reports in The West Australian online of 1 April
2014 about BHP Billiton's plans for Worsley Alumina and Nickel West.
(1) What
discussions has the minister had with the management of BHP Billiton about
Worsley Alumina?
(2) What discussions has the minister had with the management
of BHP Billiton about Nickel West?
(3) What
assurances can the minister give for ongoing employment to the workers at
Worsley Alumina and Nickel West?
WEST
213. Mr W.J. JOHNSTON to the Minister for
State Development:
I refer to reports in The West Australian online of 1 April
2014 about BHP Billiton's plans for Worsley Alumina and Nickel West.
(1) What
discussions has the minister had with the management of BHP Billiton about
Worsley Alumina?
(2) What discussions has the minister had with the management
of BHP Billiton about Nickel West?
(3) What
assurances can the minister give for ongoing employment to the workers at
Worsley Alumina and Nickel West?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(3)
I have had no discussions with BHP Billiton about the Worsley Alumina refinery.
I also read the articles in the newspaper. BHP has advised me that it is
looking at the future of Nickel West. It is my understanding that BHP has not
made a decision on that, but it is clearly, from media articles and indeed what
it said to me, looking at whether it retains that or perhaps sells it. Nickel
West may not sit so well in BHP's current global structure. I would
have thought that it would most likely retain the Worsley Alumina refinery, but
that is just my judgement. The important thing is that both those entities
continue to operate and employ people. Indeed, Nickel West is a very
significant nickel producer on the world stage. This state produces probably
about 12 per cent of the world's nickel and Nickel West is a major
producer. Entities change hands. There is a bit of a shake-out around the
global mining companies and some of the local ones, but the important thing is
that the mining industry continues to grow in Western Australia. The value of
production last year was something like $114 billion and will continue to rise
strongly over the remainder of this decade.
I have had no discussions with BHP Billiton about the Worsley Alumina refinery.
I also read the articles in the newspaper. BHP has advised me that it is
looking at the future of Nickel West. It is my understanding that BHP has not
made a decision on that, but it is clearly, from media articles and indeed what
it said to me, looking at whether it retains that or perhaps sells it. Nickel
West may not sit so well in BHP's current global structure. I would
have thought that it would most likely retain the Worsley Alumina refinery, but
that is just my judgement. The important thing is that both those entities
continue to operate and employ people. Indeed, Nickel West is a very
significant nickel producer on the world stage. This state produces probably
about 12 per cent of the world's nickel and Nickel West is a major
producer. Entities change hands. There is a bit of a shake-out around the
global mining companies and some of the local ones, but the important thing is
that the mining industry continues to grow in Western Australia. The value of
production last year was something like $114 billion and will continue to rise
strongly over the remainder of this decade.
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