Westwin Elements Plans $502 Million Class 1 Nickel Refinery in Natchez, Mississippi

Critical minerals refiner Westwin Elements plans to build a $502 million commercial-scale Class 1 nickel refinery at the Belwood Industrial Site in Natchez, Adams County, Mississippi. The project is expected to create 134 jobs.

18,000 tonnes of nickel per year

In its first phase, the refinery will produce 18,000 tonnes of high-purity Class 1 nickel annually using nickel carbonyl refining technology. Commissioning is targeted for 2029. Class 1 nickel is used in aerospace, defense, specialty alloys, advanced manufacturing and energy applications. The company still needs to complete financing, engineering and environmental permitting before construction.

KaLeigh Long, Founder and CEO of Westwin Elements said:

“The Natchez site gives us the capacity to produce American-made Class 1 nickel at scale, strengthening a critical domestic supply our country needs while creating high-paying careers.”

Site selection

Chandler Russ, Executive Director of Natchez, Inc. said:

“Belwood’s Mississippi River access, industrial infrastructure, available land and ability to support a project of this scale made Natchez a strong fit for Westwin’s long-term plans.”