Westwin Elements Plans Natchez, Mississippi, Nickel Refinery Operations

Area Development News Desk

10/19/2026

Critical minerals refining company Westwin Elements plans to establish operations in Natchez, Mississippi. The $502 million project is expected to create 134 jobs in Adams County.

The investment will include the construction of a commercial-scale refinery at the Belwood Industrial Site that will produce 18,000 tonnes of high-purity Class 1 nickel annually during its first phase. Operations are scheduled to begin in 2029.

“Westwin was founded with the mission of delivering a win for the West and restoring the blue-collar American dream by bringing a critical industry back home,” said Westwin Elements Founder and CEO KaLeigh Long. “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.”

Westwin Elements specializes in the refining and production of high-purity Class 1 nickel using nickel carbonyl refining technology. The company supplies a critical mineral used in aerospace, defense, advanced manufacturing, specialty alloys and energy applications.

“Westwin’s selection of the Belwood Industrial Site is the result of an extensive site-selection and due-diligence process and represents an important milestone for both the company and our community,” noted Natchez, Inc. Executive Director Chandler Russ. “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. We are proud to have been selected and look forward to continuing our work with Westwin, the Mississippi Development Authority, Entergy and our local partners as the company advances the financing, engineering and permitting necessary to move this significant project toward construction.”

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