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FILE PHOTO: Visitors to the BHP stand (formerly BHP Billiton) speak to representatives at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) annual convention in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. March 4, 2019. REUTERS / Chris Helgren / File Photo
KWINANA, Australia (Reuters) – BHP Group (BHP.AX) (BHPB.L) plans to launch nickel sulphate production in the second quarter of next year as nickel sales increase in the battery sector, Asset Chairman Eddie said Friday Haegel.
BHP currently produces approximately 75,000 tonnes of nickel metal in the form of briquettes and powder at its Kwinana refinery, located on the outskirts of Perth, which it sells primarily to chemical manufacturers in Asia who process these products into nickel sulphate, used in the manufacture of batteries for electric vehicles. .
BHP, which in 2015 had considered shutting down the plant due to declining demand from the stainless steel industry, is currently building what it is supposed to be the largest nickel sulphate manufacturing facility in the world. world intended to directly serve the market for batteries for electric vehicles.
In a presentation, the company said it sold about 78% of its nickel production to the battery industry in the second half of fiscal 2019, up from just under 60% one year ago.
Melanie Burton report; edited by Richard Pullin
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