12th Jun 2008 07:00
12 June 2008 Number 21/08
BHP BILLITON TO IMMEDIATELY COMMENCE A FURNACE REBUILD ATKALGOORLIE NICKEL SMELTER
BHP Billiton today announced that, as a result of a deterioration of the Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter furnace in Western Australia, it would bring forward the furnace rebuild.
Planning and preparation for a major rebuild of the furnace has been in progress for the past two years. The rebuild was planned to occur later in the next financial year, however an assessment of the furnace condition has determined the rebuild must take place now to ensure the ongoing safety of the workplace.
The duration of the rebuild is estimated to be around four months.
The Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter normally produces around 100,000 tonnes of nickel-in-matte per annum that is both the feedstock for the Kwinana Nickel Refinery and exported to international customers. The estimated impact on sales in the 2009 financial year is expected to be around 25,000 tonnes of contained nickel units, plus 3,000 tonnes of contained nickel units in the 2008 financial year.
As a result of the furnace rebuild the Kwinana Nickel Refinery will be forced to shutdown for the duration of the rebuild. The shutdown will commence immediately. BHP Billiton's Nickel West operations are endeavouring to continue concentrate production.
As a consequence of the furnace rebuild, BHP Billiton is reallocating gas to the Worsley Alumina Refinery.
Further information on BHP Billiton can be found on our Internet site: www.bhpbilliton.com
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Australia Samantha Evans, Media Relations Tel: +61 3 9609 2898 Mobile: +61 400 693 915 email: [email protected]
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United Kingdom & South Africa Andre Liebenberg, Investor Relations Tel: +44 20 7802 4131 Mobile: +44 7920 236 974 email: [email protected] |
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Leng Lau, Investor Relations Tel: +61 3 9609 4202 Mobile: +61 403 533 706 email: [email protected] United States Tracey Whitehead, Investor & Media Relations Tel: US +1 713 599 6100 or UK +44 20 7802 4031Mobile: +44 7917 648 093 email: [email protected] |
Illtud Harri, Media Relations Tel: +44 20 7802 4195 Mobile: +44 7920 237 246 email: [email protected]
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