Ethical investors have called for the suspension, arguing BHP's membership of some industry organisations funds pro-coal lobbying.

The miner ramped up output at its Illawarra project in New South Wales.

The Aussie miner, backed by billionaire Andrew Forrest, wants to take advantage of improved nickel prices.

MineHub is working with IBM, ING Group, Wheaton Precious Metals, and other companies key to mining, streaming, trade and finance.

The London-based miner says the potential of the Molyhil project has been enhanced by the inclusion of copper in the mineral resource estimate.

The projected returns are slightly better than the output Newcrest had predicted in a pre-feasibility study released last year.

The country wants to bolster production outside China, which dominates the output of the materials.