On 21st January, 2009, BHP Billiton Nickel surprised not only the ASX but also its communities of place and of interest in its decision to close the Ravensthorpe Nickel Operation in Western Australia. The mine had been opened with great fanfare only 8 months previously and had been proposed as a 25 year enterprise, one which promised significant improvements in the economic and social well-being of the south coast region of Western Australia.

In March this year, Professor Stehlik led a team which undertook a Rapid Rural Appraisal of the impacts of the announcement of mine closure on the local place-based communities. This seminar present findings from this study, including: perspectives on environmental impact; information flow post-closure; comparative measures of wellbeing; and community perspectives on opportunities for future regional development.

The seminar will discuss findings that the potential offered in the promise of a 25 year relationship was a key driver in decision making by local businesses, and that the action to close the mine, the manner of its announcement and the subsequent steps taken by the company in exiting the community, have important lessons for other rural and remote communities that are in relationships with the resources sector, or are planning such a future relationship.