BHP reported nickel production of 21,500 tonnes in the fourth quarter, up 21% from the previous quarter, due to smelter maintenance work in the third quarter. The output of nickel bean and nickel powder is 18,200 tons, of nickel sulfate 400 tons and of nickel matte 2900 tons.
Full-year nickel production in 2021 was 82,099 tons, down 9.78% year-on-year.
The first nickel sulfate crystals were produced in the third quarter and sold in the fourth quarter at the Queenana facility in Western Australia, with sales of 100 tonnes.
In December, BHP advanced its early nickel deposits by investing in a premium deposit at the Kabanga nickel project. Kabanga is a joint venture between Kabanga Nickel LTD. (84%) and the Government of Tanzania (16%).
