AAP reported that BHP Billiton has set up a USD 5 million fund to support a West Australian community it shattered when it abandoned a nickel mine and sacked 1,800 workers.

The assistance from BHP subsidiary Ravensthorpe Nickel Operation was announced in a statement by West Australian Nationals leader Mr Brendon Grylls.

Mr Grylls said that the company would contribute USD 5 million to establish a future fund, matching a contribution made to the community by the WA government in January.

Workers at Ravensthorpe nickel mine learned the operation was closing when BHP called them to a safety meeting on January 21st 2009. The mine, built at a cost of USD 2 billion, had been forecast to have a life of between 25 and 30 years.

Mr Grylls, regional development minister in the Liberal Nationals government, said that the one off payment by BHP was welcome. He added that "The aim of the fund is to support the local Ravensthorpe and Hopetoun community to undertake improvements for the benefit of local people."

(Sourced from AAP)