WMC Resources' Kwinana Nickel Refinery (KNR), commissioned in 1970, is located in Western Australia's key industry area, 40 kilometres south of Perth. The refinery is also responsible for the ongoing management of the decommissioned Baldivis Tailings Storage Facility, located five kilometres south east of the refinery.

KNR receives nickel-in-matte, containing approximately 68 per cent nickel, from WMC Resources' smelter at Kalgoorlie and refines it to produce nickel briquettes and nickel powder, containing 99.8 per cent nickel. During 2004, 238 KNR employees and 27 contractors produced 62,478 tonnes of refined nickel metal, along with saleable intermediate products, such as nickel-cobalt sulphide, copper sulphide and ammonium sulphate.

KNR’s local community includes people living in Kwinana, Rockingham and suburbs through to Mandurah. The refinery takes in the town of Kwinana, the cities of Rockingham and Mandurah and the Peel district. A significant number of KNR employees and contractors live locally. The area is currently home to over 120,000 people, 79,000 living in the Rockingham area alone.

• Next: Safety & Health