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WA prepares for ports last year, the ment believes the WA resources sector is
heading.
highest since 2014
and the Government “Nickel West shows we are a genuine
downstream flood welcomed the $74 player [in battery materials production] and
that Australian technology can solve the
million of royalties but
most importantly there problem of producing product to spec for
were 7,500 jobs in the global demand,” he said. “I’m sure there are
ike many West Australians, Minister for sector,” Johnston said. “I always make the going to be other investors, and of course,
LMines & Petroleum Bill Johnston has a point that while WA will continue to be an the Government is talking to some of those
fondness for nickel – and the reasons for the iron ore-dominated economy, it is actually investors in that nickel processing space.”
soft spot are continuing to expand in line with in the other metals that you see even more Making the leap from nickel miner to bat-
the metal’s global standing. jobs. For every dollar invested into nickel we tery chemicals producer will be a large one.
Johnston has been a regular guest at the see a greater return of jobs [than iron ore]. The WA Government has launched a $13.2
Australian Nickel Conference since taking That is one of the reasons why I personally million incentive scheme for any investor
on the portfolio in 2017. Opening the 2021 pay such close attention to the nickel sector willing to build a precursor material manu-
edition of the forum, he revealed one of the and that is why the Government wants to facturing facility in WA which is designed to
reasons why he had such affection for the continue to support the growth of the nickel place the State at the forefront of the rapidly
sector. sector in this State.” expanding EV revolution.
“The State saw $3.3 billion of nickel ex- Those nickel-related jobs could become China currently dominates the battery ma-
more varied across terials supply chain but Johnston said there
the rest of the dec- was room for more than one player.
ade if the State Gov- “Global demand is going to grow so fast
ernment’s push to there is going to be room for many alterna-
expand downstream tive suppliers and having a strong Tier-1 ju-
processing capability risdiction where you can have a clear under-
is realised. standing of ESG achievements [will be vital].
Johnson refer- That means we’ll have a strong role to play in
enced the recent a future industry,” he said.
opening of BHP Ltd “We’re not saying we should replace
Nickel West’s Kwi- China but that with additional demand we
nana nickel sulphate should be able to grow alongside China…
plant as a demon- COVID-19 has demonstrated you don’t want
stration of where the all your logistics to go through one location.”
Bill Johnston McGowan Govern- – Dominic Piper

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aUSTRaLIa’S PaYDIRT NOVeMBeR 2021 Page 33