{
  "id": 2027883,
  "title": "Call to bail out Australia's last remaining nickel smelter",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/call-to-bail-out-australias-last-remaining-nickel-smelter",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-19T22:14:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-20/bhp-decision-looming-on-kalgoorlie-nickel-smelter-future/107037094"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "BHP's Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter in Western Australia faces an uncertain future, with a decision expected within six months. WA Liberal MP Rick Wilson is advocating for the federal government's assistance, similar to the support provided to other metal smelters. BHP is anticipated to conclude its review of mothballed Nickel West operations by February 2027. The last remaining nickel smelter in Australia should also be considered for a government bailout, according to Wilson, as BHP evaluates its future. The smelter was halted in 2024 after 51 years of operation. The federal government has committed $1.67 billion to secure four smelters on the east coast, including a $2.5 billion deal for Tomago Aluminium. Nickel was included in the government's Critical Minerals List in February 2024. Wilson argues that the safeguard mechanism is hindering the viability of heavy industries and necessitates taxpayer subsidies for unviable industries. The opposition previously called for a Senate inquiry into Australia's metals manufacturing sector, citing 10 smelters and refineries at risk due to high energy prices. The federal government's Tomago deal follows a series of similar bailouts for struggling heavy industries. Industry Minister Tim Ayres stated that nickel is a critical mineral for Australia's industrial future. However, the mayor of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Glenn Wilson, expressed skepticism about government bailouts as mere temporary fixes and questioned whether the handouts will merely prolong the inevitable.",
  "summary": "The federal government says it has \"acted decisively in the national interest\" by propping up four privately-owned smelters in NSW, Queensland, Tasmania and SA. Now there is a call for it save the Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter.",
  "key_points": [
    "BHP's Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter faces uncertain future",
    "WA MP Rick Wilson calls for federal government bailout",
    "Smelter halted in 2024 after 51 years of operation"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}