Dear Editor:

The first time I heard about the proposed nickel refinery in Richmond Hill was when people started talking about this odd survey going around town asking if people wanted high paying jobs. That’s like asking someone if they want to breathe good air, eat nutritious food, or send their children to good schools. The answer is probably yes. But, who exactly was interested?

I was never personally surveyed, but that was my first question to myself.

In addition, IF, and again IF, these surveyors were paid through a model that rewarded or was based on numbers of signatures, they may be motivated to, perhaps, be very aggressive, push aside objections, or otherwise not let their potential signor go until they’ve signed. Again, good to know who wants to know.

The next time I heard about the proposed nickel refinery was at a recent community meeting where the company proposing to build it, Westwin Elements, presented their company profile, their concept drawings for a Richmond Hill refinery, a great deal of technical information, and responded to many questions the public has had about this.

The Development Authority of Bryan County did not participate.

After listening to their presentation, made primarily by their CEO, KaLeigh Long, the first impression I got is that this seemed like a newly formed, understaffed business. It is not unusual for start-ups to bring on experts temporarily and then as they acquire expertise or no longer need it, they leave. However, a company has already built a demonstration facility in Oklahoma (like a small refinery that can put out samples, training, test and refine processes, and use for sales) so it seemed odd that they wouldn’t have more FTE? Perhaps I have this wrong in some way and I invite correction, but they noted their safety record with 14 employees for one year in their presentation which seemed low to me. So, I did some research and here’s what I found, please correct me where needed.

I tried to be thorough.

The company was formed by Ms. Long in Oklahoma in 2022 and cut the ribbon on its Demonstration Plant Aug. 19, 2024 according to their press release. In this same press release they stated, Looking ahead, Westwin Elements aims to break ground on its commercial plant in March 2025.

According to this local report, Westwin Elements, a nickel refinery, ultimately decided not to proceed with the expansion because staff faced “logistical problems” in their feasibility study of the refining process, said Richard Rogalski, the executive director of LEDA [Lawton Economic Development Authority]. He added that decreasing nickel values also contributed to the choice. These seems perfectly reasonable me as it appears overall, public risk was increasing.

During this short-lived agreement, a group called Westwin Resistance was formed. Here’s how they describe themselves: Westwin Resistance is an Indigenous-led grassroots group of tribal citizens, environmental scientists, tribal law experts, and concerned citizens. We are united against the Westwin Elements cobalt and nickel refinery planned on Kiowa, Comanche, Apache, Caddo, Wichita and Delaware lands.

These factors combined to make Oklahoma unviable. Westwin had to find another site and ended up here in Richmond Hill.

The company admits filing a $3 million lawsuit against a company called CVMR regarding what essentially sounds like non-receipt of services, specifically engineering.

They may have failed to mention two very important details: First, a local news report wrote that “in 2023, Westwin cut ties with CVMR, citing the company’s failure to complete a BFS—a comprehensive assessment of the refinery’s viability, including its economic viability and environmental impact.” [Has that independent survey ever been done?] Another local news report wrote: “Documents also paint Westwin CEO Kaleigh Long as unprofessional, stating she exaggerated her business connections, ability to properly source materials, and Westin’s financial backing.” . [Exactly how did they replace that loss of expertise?] I applaud Ms. Long’s determination and success to date. But with what I can see, I can’t support a first-time CEO with no relevant business experience, at the helm of a start-up business that deals in toxins and poisons using complicated refining technology in an entirely new environmental region without the support of a mature and seasoned nickel refinery operator like CVMR as their partner and guide.

The next legal item they shared happened in 2025 when according to a local news report: “Woods Capital LLC and Woods Equity Partners LLC filed a lawsuit Oct. 13 alleging multiple breaches in a contract between the two companies…Woods alleges the company did not pay these fees. The firm also alleges Westwin did not direct investments through agreed-upon methods, leading to further breach of contract.” I don’t know what that last part means, but it doesn’t sound good to me when you’re talking about moving around tens of millions of dollars.

Finally, in their presentation, they listed a wrongful termination suit by a former employee fired for cause. Now, taken in isolation, we all know things happen. But what I see here is a pattern of the company’s struggle to establish and maintain control over their business which is often simply about business immaturity. Which is fine, but we are not talking about making cat food or bottling beer, but about a NICKEL REFINERY located VERY CLOSE TO schools, a senior community, valuable housing developments/ properties and our wetlands not to mention surrounding communities like Midway.

My final thought was about the Development Authority of Bryan County and/or any other local government entity that’s been involved in assessing this company. What did they see in this process and/or have even taken some kind of action against, that said to them this industry - run by this company - should be a part of shaping our community.

Patti Hewitt, Richmond Hill, GA

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