Officials at MMC Norilsk Nickel have announced the suspension of the Lake Johnston nickel project in Australia to streamline operating costs during a market slowdown. Company representatives noted that such production chain operations that are not fully integrated are becoming increasingly profitable; 60 employees will be laid off. Any decision to re-launch the project would be contingent on the metals market and geological studies in the region, officials noted.
Elsewhere in Australia, MMC is focusing on the Honeymoon Well, one of the world’s largest sulfide ore deposits, while upgrading the Cawse hydrometallurgy complex, an asset with potential for up to 40,000 metric tons of high-refined Ni hydroxide grades.
