Blackstone Group Inc. recently secured an option to acquire a major nickel asset in Australia, making it one of the largest acquisitions in the nickel industry. The deal is reported to be worth more than $1 billion and will give Blackstone Group a controlling stake in the asset.
The nickel asset that Blackstone has acquired is located in the Cloncurra region of Australia and includes 3 mining prospects known as Rocky Hill, Tungsten Hill, and Ironwood Hill. The asset is expected to support the production of approximately 1 million tonnes of nickel ore per annum. It is also estimated that the asset contains as much as 200,000 tonnes of sulphide and 2-3 million tonnes of oxide reserves.
Blackstone’s acquisition of the asset will mark the firm’s entry into the global nickel market and its first major involvement in the mining industry. The asset is also expected to be one of the top producers of nickel in Australia when it begins full-scale operations.
The deal is a great opportunity for Blackstone to expand its portfolio and gives the firm a bigger foothold in the highly lucrative nickel industry. By acquiring the asset, Blackstone Group will be able to gain access to the latest technology and production processes to further improve the efficiency of nickel production and ensure the asset’s long-term sustainability.
Though Blackstone has been active in the real estate industry and has made investments in the energy industry, this acquisition marks the firm’s first major foray into the mining sector. Blackstone’s acquisition of the nickel asset promises to be a profitable venture that yields dividends for the firm in the long run.