More than 300 jobs will be lost after Norilsk Nickel announced it was suspending its two nickel operations in Western Australia.
The Russian company will place its Black Swan and Lake Johnston operations under care and maintenance effective immediately.
“Today’s announcement is largely the result of the prevailing economic climate and its impact on the nickel price,” the company said.
Norilsk said that the operations still have future potential.
“These assets are located in prime nickel producing regions and have the potential for further exploration,” it said.
“However market and other conditions have left the Australian business unsustainable given current metal prices.”
According to company, Norilsk will offer assistance to its displaced workers.
“The company is committed to providing full entitlements to those employees whose roles are now redundant and where possible, will assist in identifying alternative employment opportunities,” it said.
The suspensions come after Norilsk late last year placed its Cawse and Waterloo projects in WA under care and maintenance.