Ravensthorpe
An open-pit nickel mine at the forefront of sustainable mining.
Key metrics
Preservation & Safe Management
Process of care and maintenance
The Ravensthorpe Nickel Operation (“RNO”) is in the Esperance region, 550km south-east of Perth, Western Australia. A previously decommissioned site, RNO was acquired by First Quantum in 2010. Significant processing upgrades saw the first shipment of concentrate exports by November 2011.
After a brief period of care and maintenance from 2017 due to low nickel prices, RNO successfully restarted in 2020, creating more than 350 new jobs. The advanced processing plant produces a Mixed Hydroxide Precipitate comprising 45% nickel and 1.4% cobalt on a dry basis, ideal for battery production.
In 2021, the mine’s future was further secured with the opening of the Shoemaker-Levy deposit, extending its life by around 30 years. First Quantum also formed a partnership with POSCO, one of the world’s largest steel producers, selling a 30% equity interest in the operation.
In July 2024, RNO was placed into a care and maintenance process due to a low nickel price environment and high operating costs.
“Hopetoun Primary School thanks FQM for their ongoing support and commitment to building a strong, sustainable school community and, enabling our students to access a more diverse educational experience.”
Karrina Smallman,
Hopetoun Community Resource Centre and Fitzgerald Business Network Manager
“Hopetoun Primary School thanks FQM for their ongoing support and commitment to building a strong, sustainable school community and, enabling our students to access a more diverse educational experience.”
Penne Metcalf,
Hopetoun Primary School Principal
Pioneering sustainable mining
Community scholarships and grants
Copper: The foundation of green energy
Nickel is crucial for clean energy
The nickel produced at Ravensthorpe is a vital component in clean energy. It can be found in rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles, wind turbines, solar panels, and more.
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Reserves, resources and production statistics
Find out the most recent Mineral Resource and Reserve estimate. These estimates involve risks and uncertainties, please read our Cautionary Disclosure.
Technical Report
Ravensthorpe’s most recent NI 43-101 Technical Report.
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