Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston has welcomed today’s supply agreement between BHP and Tesla Inc, saying it further emphasised Western Australia’s standing as the number one mining jurisdiction in the world.
BHP will supply Tesla, the world’s largest manufacturer of electric vehicles and battery storage systems, with nickel from its Nickel West assets in WA.
WA’s raw materials are a key plank behind the State’s future battery strategy.
WA is the only State to have a clear strategy to support the development of the industry and also has all the battery minerals needed to make a battery.
An independent report recently completed by Accenture, Future Charge: Building Australia’s Battery Industries, identified WA’s significant role in the global future battery industry.
Accenture’s report was prepared for the Future Battery Industries Cooperative Research Centre, of which the Western Australian Government and BHP Nickel West are participants. It estimated the industry will contribute $7.4 billion per year to Australia’s economy and create 34,700 jobs by 2030.
According to the report, Australia can compete in several segments of the global battery industry, including refining, active materials manufacturing and battery manufacturing.
As stated by Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston:
“Today’s announcement not only highlights that Western Australia hosts the best quality raw materials integral to the world’s decarbonisation efforts, it also reinforces the level of comfort global brands have in investing in the State knowing that raw materials are responsibly sourced.
“As investors and the community are increasingly holding mining companies to the highest ESG standards and practices, the supply agreement between BHP and Tesla reflects the regulatory framework in place in Western Australia that ensures the sustainable production of battery materials.”
