First Quantum Minerals has confirmed that it will place the Ravensthorpe Nickel Operation (RNO) in Western Australia on care and maintenance due to lower nickel prices and higher operating costs, reported ABC News.
“It is anticipated all production will cease by late May, with various activities underway in the coming weeks to ensure a planned, safe wind-down of processing and other areas,” said a First Quantum spokesperson.
The miner said it would cut 330 jobs, but will maintain “a smaller, dedicated care and maintenance team [that] will be appointed from current RNO employees to ensure the site is safe and preserved for a future restart.”
Ravensthorpe, which is located 500 kilometres south-east of Perth, was previously shut down in 2009 by former owner BHP and again in 2017 by First Quantum. The mine was restarted in early 2020.
Source: ABC News