Local contractor wins BHP nickel works

West Perth-based Aerison has been awarded a contract by BHP Nickel West for the construction of a nickel sulphate plant located at its Kwinana nickel refinery.

Under the contract, Aerison will be responsible for supplying, fabricating, construction and installing the pipeline facilities at the development.

In a statement, the contractor said the works will create approximately 200 local jobs.

In August 2017, BHP approved the Kwinana plant at a cost of around $US43 million ($61 million), but BusinessNews understands the capex of the project is now over $US75m ($106 million).

Nickel Sulphate is a key component in the production of batteries for cars and other energy storage uses.

Aerison said its owners Daniel Hibbs and Giuseppe Leone were delighted with the award of the project which demonstrated BHP’s commitment to supporting West Australian-owned businesses.

The company employs 620 staff performs supply and installation of structural, mechanical, piping, electrical and instrumentation (SMPE&I) works across Australia.

It is currently undertaking work at several projects, including at Rio Tinto’s Yandi, Fortescue Metals Group’s Christmas Creek and Cloudbreak, BHP’s Port Headland operations, Citic Pacific’s Sino Iron, and Mineral Resources Wodgina and Mt Marion projects.