BHP to sell Kambalda Nickel Concentrator to Gold Fields

BHP Group Ltd has agreed to sell its idled Kambalda Nickel Concentrator (KNC) and associated tenements and mineralisation rights to Gold Fields Ltd. The transaction, for which financial terms remain confidential, is expected to complete in 2027, pending regulatory approvals.

Gold Fields, which already operates the St Ives mine near Kambalda, stated it will assess the assets for potential long-term use in gold and nickel processing. The company emphasized that gold production remains its primary focus and that the acquisition will not result in changes to its current operations or workforce.

Lunnon Metals Limited, a nickel explorer in the Kambalda region and a company in which Gold Fields holds a 29.61% voting interest, noted the strategic implications of the sale. Lunnon Metals plans to evaluate whether the change in ownership necessitates updates to its existing Scoping Study for the Foster-Baker projects.

BHP had previously suspended its Western Australian nickel assets in July 2024 due to global market oversupply. The company intends to review its remaining nickel assets, including its refinery and smelter, by February 2027 to decide on potential divestment, restart, or closure.