Mining giant BHP has agreed to sell its Kambalda Nickel Concentrator (KNC) and a package of associated tenements and mineralisation rights in Western Australia to Gold Fields.
The deal hands control of the facility and surrounding rights to an established local operator, providing long-term operational certainty for the Goldfields region, its workforce, and local communities.
Under the agreement, Gold Fields will assess future options for the long-term use of the processing plant and offer employment to personnel directly supporting the asset. Gold Fields already maintains a significant operational footprint across the Western Australian Goldfields.
The divestment follows BHP’s decision in July 2024 to temporarily suspend its broader Western Australia nickel operations in response to a global nickel market oversupply.
While the Kambalda facility transitions to new ownership, the remainder of BHP’s WA Nickel portfolio remains under temporary suspension.
BHP plans to review the status of those suspended assets by February 2027, considering options such as divestment, prolonged suspension, a restart, or permanent closure.
Annabelle Blom, Vice President of WA Nickel at BHP, said the sale is a positive outcome for regional stakeholders.
“Today is a positive outcome and it provides certainty for our employees, the Goldfields region and the local community,” Blom said.
“Gold Fields is a respected operator with established relationships with Traditional Owners and a strong, long-term presence in the Goldfields region.”
BHP will continue managing the Kambalda assets safely while maintaining cultural heritage, regulatory, and environmental commitments until the transaction completes.
Subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions, the transaction is expected to reach final completion during calendar year 2027.
