Westwin Elements to build $502M nickel refinery in Mississippi

Westwin Elements disclosed on Monday that it plans to invest $502 million over a five-year period to construct a commercial-scale nickel refinery in Natchez, Mississippi. The company seeks to establish America's domestic critical mineral refining capability by setting up the Natchez facility on the Belwood Industrial Site. The project builds upon the success of Westwin's 20-tonne-per-year demonstration plant in Lawton, Oklahoma, where they have successfully completed several production campaigns of Class 1 nickel powder using advanced refining technology.

Westwin has finalized a Bankable Feasibility Study for the Natchez site and secured a long-term lease for the Belwood location. The first phase of the project aims to generate 18,000 tonnes of Class 1 nickel annually, with commissioning planned for the year 2029. Binding feedstock and offtake agreements are already in place, ensuring production and revenue forecasts for the initial phase upon completion of construction.

Westwin's CEO, KaLeigh Long, emphasized the company's commitment to promoting American manufacturing and restoring the blue-collar dream by bringing a critical industry back to the United States. The Natchez site provides the necessary infrastructure and logistical benefits to facilitate commercial-scale production, including proximity to Natchez's inland port and access to regional transportation networks.

The high-purity Class 1 nickel produced at the facility finds applications in national defense, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, specialty alloys, energy, and various industrial uses.

Developing domestic refining capacity is crucial for reducing the U.S.'s reliance on foreign processing and enhancing supply chains that support key industries. Upon completion of the first phase of commercial operations, the project is anticipated to generate 134 full-time jobs, with average annual salaries around $84,000.