BHP moves to close WA nickel mine

Global miner BHP Billiton Ltd has announced another round of likely redundancies,
with 240 people affected by plans to mothball its Leinster nickel operation in
Western Australia.
In a statement released just hours before Treasurer Wayne Swan is due to release the
federal budget, BHP Billiton blamed a deterioration in nickel prices for the planned
closure.
The company said about 20 employees and 220 contractors would be impacted by the move.
"Mining at the Rocky's Reward open-pit mine at Leinster nickel operation will be
safely wound down and placed on care and maintenance," the company said in a
statement.
"BHP Billiton will consult with and seek to maximise internal redeployment
opportunities for its employees.
"Where redeployment is not possible, BHP Billiton will provide full entitlements and
support services to employees and their families, including outplacement services,"
the statement said.
The news is just the latest round of job cuts at BHP Billiton.
In January the company flagged that it would sack nearly 6000 employees around the
globe and it closed the Ravensthorpe nickel mine in WA, making 1450 jobs redundant.
BHP Billiton also said in January that more than 1000 positions would be phased out
from BHP's metallurgical coal operations across Queensland.
The company said it would work closely with suppliers, customers and the local
community to minimise the effects of the decision to close Leinster.
"Leinster nickel underground mining operations and the processing plant will
continue to operate as normal," the company said.