Induction - Nickel Overview Draft 3

Pearl Project
Nickel Overview
Contents
• Introduction
– BHP Billiton Stainless Steel Materials
– Pearl Project
• Nickel
– Products and Uses
– HSEC Aspects
• Nickel Processes
– Ore Types
– Process Routes
• Challenges
– Project Challenges
– Industry Challenges
Page 2
What is Nickel?
• Metallic element
• Making up 0.008% of the Earth's crust
• The fifth most common element
• Part of the natural environment
– Nickel in soil = 5 - 500 ppm
– Nickel in natural river water = 0.3 ppm
• Used as material in stainless steel
Page 3
Stainless Steel Materials CSG
SSM is a CSG that primarily services the stainless steel industry through its wide range
of nickel products.
Aim: To be the lowest cost producer, with the highest operating margin
Base Metal 6.9 billion
SSM 3.7 billion
Petroleum 3 billion
Iron Ore 2.7 billion
Aluminium 1.85 billion

Metallurgical
1.25 billion
Coal
Energy Coal 484 million
Diamond &
261 million
Specialty products
Manganese 253 million
Source: BHP Billiton Annual Review 2007
Page 4
World’s Primary Finished Nickel Production
Source: SSM
Page 5
SSM Nickel Assets
QNI Yabulu Refinery
32 ktpa nickel
Hallmark Project
Pearl Project
LEGEND
Operations
Major Project
Cerro Matoso, Colombia

50 ktpa nickel
Nickel West
110 ktpa nickel products
Ravensthorpe
Page 6
Pearl Project Locations (Indonesia)
Page 7
Our Nickel Products
SSM primarily services the stainless steel industry through its wide
range of high quality nickel products.
Page 8
Product Uses
We supply nickel and cobalt to other markets including the speciality
alloy and chemical industries.
Source: Nickel Institute, 2007

Page 9
Nickel End Uses
Source: Nickel Institute, 2007

Page 10
HSEC Aspects
• “Zero exposure” to nickel is not possible:
– Prevalent in natural environment
– Contained in everyday objects, from stainless steel to coins
• In industrial context, sources of exposure are:
– Nickel containing substances
– Nickel-containing dust present in nickel mines, concentrators, smelters,
refineries and other nickel processing plants
• Aim to minimise contact and avoid potential health effects
Page 11
Nickel Life Cycle
Life cycle of our business and products
Products
Exploration Engines, medical,
Other Ore utensils, batteries,
Suppliers building, electronics
Ore Supply
Refining
(e.g. Yabulu)
Responsibility
Smelting
(e.g. CMSA) Customers Recycled Ni
Stainless Steel mills
Europe Korea Taiwan
US Japan India
Environmental outputs to Benefits

Air Water Land People Ecosystem
Corrosion resistant goods Social development Recyclable products
Employment Economic prosperity Improved quality of life
Page 12
Global Nickel Resources and Production
Nickel Resource
20-40% 60-80%
Limonite
Saprolite
Sulfide Laterite
Ni Production: 60% Ni Production: 40%
Laterites are a key source of nickel.
Even more important in the future!
Page 13
Nickel Processes
Nickel Processing
Pyrometallurgy Hydrometallurgy
Thermal treatment of ores / minerals for the Use of aqueous chemistry for the
recovery of metals recovery of metals
Page 14
Pyrometallurgy – Electric Furnace
Molten
nickel
Page 15
Hydrometallurgy
Lixiviant Neutralising agent

Acid ● Water/ Brine Lime ● Limestone ● Magnesia
Ore Leaching PLS Downstream Products
precipitates/ metal
Tailings ● Effluent
Page 16
Ammonia Leaching – Caron Process
Page 17
Tank Leaching
Atmospheric Leach Enhanced Pressure Acid Leach

AL Pilot Plant EPAL facility – Ravensthorpe
Page 18
Heap Leaching
Ore agglomeration Heap with ‘rain coat’
Page 19
Downstream Processes – New Technologies
ISEP cRIP
Page 20
Project Challenges
• Ensure safety transportation from and to the site
• No readily available infrastructure
• Very remote ore resources location – difficulties in logistics
• Endemic disease – malaria
• Environmental challenges (adjacent to coral community habitat)
• Lack of human resources
• Permits and bureaucracy
• Presidential General Election in 2009
Page 21
Process Challenges – Pearl Project
Site Conditions
• High rainfall on Gag and Halmahera islands
• Seismic activity
Tailings Management
• Different leach processes produce different tailings
• Tailings risks:
– Heavy metal release to environment
– Long-term stability
– Geotechnical properties
Page 22
Industry Challenges
• Predict the future (price, product type)
• Keep up with demand (Nickel from laterites instead of sulfides)
Million tonnes
Year
Source: Graduates e-Learning for SSM
Page 23
Thank you

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Pearl Project

Base Metal 6.9 billion

SSM 3.7 billion

Iron Ore 2.7 billion

Aluminium 1.85 billion

Source: BHP Billiton Annual Review 2007

Cerro Matoso, Colombia

Source: Nickel Institute, 2007

Source: Nickel Institute, 2007

Environmental outputs to Benefits

Corrosion resistant goods Social development Recyclable products

Employment Economic prosperity Improved quality of life

Lixiviant Neutralising agent

Ore Leaching PLS Downstream Products

Atmospheric Leach Enhanced Pressure Acid Leach

Ore agglomeration Heap with ‘rain coat’

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