SMM News: Although the main business of iron ore eye-catching performance, but other mining operations but does not allow BHP Billiton worry. Yesterday foreign news, the three mining giants, one of BHP Billiton announced that it has formulated attrition and reductions Western Australia nickel business scale of mining plans, hoping to reduce due to nickel metal prices are low and the Australian dollar strong negative on earnings generated influences. The reduction in the nickel business, analysts believe that BHP Billiton will be more human and other resources into the iron ore business.

BHP Billiton spokesman also confirmed that the business restructuring will affect 155 full-time employees and contract workers. However, BHP Billiton will seek to put some of the affected employees or other arrangements to iron ore business. In fact, BHP Billiton in January published reports have shown that the production of a weak nickel business. It is reported that the company said in the report, the continued downturn in prices and continued strength of the Australian dollar to make nickel profitability worrying. When the company also pointed out that in rising costs and product prices are low, the dual pressures of its aluminum business also continued sluggish performance, but as BHP Billiton's main profit sources, iron ore and oil operations remained strong growth.

Recently, the three major Australian mining giant Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton and FMG company were announced 2011 fourth quarter iron ore production, annual production statistics Click a record high. Nevertheless, due to the recent fall in commodity prices, analysts have lowered expectations for BHP Billiton profits. In addition, China is expected to slump and economic slowdown of the European economy also makes analysts BHP's earnings prospects and not optimistic.