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Westwin Elements

Localizes nickel refining; secures domestic supply

Government Affairs Intern

InternshipPosted on 10/19/2026
$15/hr
Oklahoma City, OK, USA
In Person
Growth & MarketingPR & Communications

About the job

Requirements
  • Strong research and writing abilities.
  • Clear communication and attention to detail.
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
  • Interest in government, policy, national security, or energy.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
  • Students in any major with strong research and writing skills are encouraged to apply.
Responsibilities
  • Track legislation, hearings, agency announcements, and policy developments related to critical minerals, manufacturing, energy, trade, and national security.
  • Research government funding programs and policy initiatives relevant to Westwin projects.
  • Prepare policy summaries, briefing materials, and background research.
  • Draft correspondence, talking points, fact sheets, and presentations.
  • Research congressional offices, agencies, industry associations, and community organizations.
  • Maintain contact lists, meeting notes, trackers, and follow-up calendars.
  • Assist with coordinating meetings, site visits, conferences, and community events.
  • Attend hearings, webinars, and meetings; summarize key developments.
  • Support document preparation for funding applications, public comments, and government requests.
  • Collaborate with technical and business teams to translate project information for policy audiences.

About the company

W

Westwin Elements

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Website

Westwin Elements is a nickel refining company focused on addressing the United States’ reliance on imported nickel. It operates as America’s only major nickel refinery, aiming to localize the entire refining process within the U.S. so that Class 1 nickel products are produced domestically. The product works by taking nickel ore and refining it into high-purity Class 1 nickel, with an emphasis on traceability, ethical sourcing, and ESG compliance across the supply chain. This sets Westwin apart from competitors by building a domestic, secure supply chain that reduces exposure to foreign entities of concern and minimizes ESG risks associated with global nickel sourcing. Westwin’s goal is to expand domestic refining capacity to meet rising demand, lower import dependency, and ensure a transparent, equitable distribution of profits among supply chain stakeholders.

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

Growth Equity (Non-Venture Capital)

Total Funding

$10M

Headquarters

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Founded

2022

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Traxys SPAs total $1.4 billion, plus a proposed $35 million credit facility.
  • May 14, 2026, Homeland Nickel signed an MoU for integrated American nickel supply.
  • Westwin says its Lawton plant produced first nickel powder and supplies customer samples.

What critics are saying

  • On August 21, 2026, LEDA voted to recover Westwin's Lawton pilot plant.
  • Bryan County ended negotiations February 10, 2026, and Richmond Hill barred nickel refining.
  • If Westwin loses Lawton and misses Georgia permits, the refinery thesis collapses.

What makes Westwin Elements unique

  • Westwin runs America's only nickel carbonyl refinery, with a Lawton demo plant since 2024.
  • Its process makes Class 1 nickel powder, briquettes, cobalt, and manganese byproducts.
  • Traxys signed seven-year SPAs on July 23, 2025, validating commercial demand.

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Benefits

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Hybrid Work Options

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

-1%

1 year growth

0%

2 year growth

36%
Drimble Media
Oct 7th, 2026
Westwin Elements investing $502 million to establish nickel refinery in Natchez

Westwin Elements investing $502 million to establish nickel refinery in Natchez brandonsup Wed, 10/07/2026 - 02:08 PM |!| Kosciusko Natchez

The Northern Miner
Oct 6th, 2026
Westwin to build $502M nickel refinery in Mississippi.

Westwin to build $502M nickel refinery in Mississippi. Westwin Elements plans to invest $502 million over five years to build a commercial-scale high-purity nickel refinery in Mississippi, as the U.S. seeks to expand domestic processing of critical minerals. The Natchez project would annually produce 18,000 tonnes of high-purity nickel, known as Class 1, in its first stage, with commissioning targeted for 2029, the privately held company said Monday. Westwin has completed a bankable feasibility study and secured a long-term lease at the Belwood Industrial Site, about 145 km southwest of state capital Jackson. The project would build on Westwin's Lawton plant in Oklahoma, a 20-tonne-per-year demonstration operation that has completed multiple production runs of nickel powder using carbonyl refining technology, the company said. Lawton produces nickel powder with purity of at least 99.9%, Westwin says. Natchez would expand that process to commercial scale in the United States. "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," CEO KaLeigh Long said in a news release. "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." Financing ahead. Westwin said last month it had raised or secured $100 million since its founding in 2022 through equity, convertible instruments and other financing backed by private investors and family offices. It has also signed $1.7 billion in binding, multiyear sales agreements, the company added. Those include a seven-year agreement with metals trader Traxys covering 10,000 tonnes of high-purity nickel briquettes annually and another sales agreement covering nickel powder and briquettes. Binding feedstock and offtake agreements are in place to support the first stage of production at Natchez, Westwin said. The company is continuing work on financing, engineering and site development as it moves towards commercial-scale production. The Belwood site is near Natchez's inland port on the Mississippi River and has access to regional transportation networks. Westwin expects the first stage to create 134 full-time jobs paying an average of about $84,000 annually. Nickel is on the U.S. critical-minerals list and is used in high-strength steel and rechargeable batteries. High-purity nickel is also used in aerospace, defence, specialty alloys and advanced manufacturing.

WSAV-TV
Oct 6th, 2026
Proposed nickel refinery in Bryan County to move to Mississippi.

Proposed nickel refinery in Bryan County to move to Mississippi. Posted: Oct 6, 2026 / 12:59 PM EDT Updated: Oct 6, 2026 / 12:59 PM EDT BRYAN COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV) - Westwin Elements selected Natchez, Mississippi, as the location for its $502 million project after receiving pushback for the originally proposed location in Bryan County. The project is expected to create 134 full-time jobs, a spokesperson for Westwin Elements said. "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 KaLeigh Long, founder and CEO of Westwin Elements. "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." The planned commissioning of the project's first phase is expected for 2029.

Canadian Mining Journal
Oct 6th, 2026
Westwin Elements to build $502M nickel refinery in Mississippi.

Westwin Elements to build $502M nickel refinery in Mississippi. Company has completed a bankable feasibility study for the Natchez site. Topics. Commodities. Companies. Westwin Elements announced Monday plans to invest $502 million over five years to establish a commercial-scale Class 1 nickel refinery at the Belwood Industrial Site in Natchez, Mississippi in a step toward building America's domestic critical mineral refining capacity. The Natchez facility will build on experience at Westwin's 20-tonne-per-year demonstration plant in Lawton, Oklahoma, which has completed multiple production campaigns of on-spec Class 1 nickel powder using nickel carbonyl refining technology, the company said. Westwin has completed a Bankable Feasibility Study for the Natchez site and secured a long-term lease for the Belwood site. The first phase of the project plans to produce 18,000 tonnes of Class 1 nickel annually, with commissioning targeted for 2029. Binding feedstock and offtake agreements already in place support production and revenue projected for the first phase of the project, ensuring the refinery's early success upon completion of its construction. "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," Westwin CEO KaLeigh Long said in a news release. "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," Long said. The Belwood site offers the infrastructure and logistical advantages needed to support commercial-scale production, including immediate proximity to Natchez's inland port and access to transportation networks serving the region. High-purity Class 1 nickel is used in national defense, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, specialty alloys, energy and other industrial applications. Developing domestic refining capacity is critical to reducing U.S. dependence on foreign processing and strengthening the supply chains that support those industries. The project is expected to create 134 full-time jobs in its first phase of commercial operations, at an average annual salary of approximately $84,000, Westwin said. Oct 06 2026 - Oct 08 2026 Oct 15 2026 - Oct 17 2026 Oct 26 2026 - Oct 28 2026

MINING.COM
Oct 5th, 2026
Westwin Elements to build $502M nickel refinery in Mississippi.

Westwin Elements to build $502M nickel refinery in Mississippi. Westwin Elements announced Monday plans to invest $502 million over five years to establish a commercial-scale Class 1 nickel refinery at the Belwood Industrial Site in Natchez, Mississippi in a step toward building America's domestic critical mineral refining capacity. The Natchez facility will build on experience at Westwin's 20-tonne-per-year demonstration plant in Lawton, Oklahoma, which has completed multiple production campaigns of on-spec Class 1 nickel powder using nickel carbonyl refining technology, the company said. Westwin has completed a Bankable Feasibility Study for the Natchez site and secured a long-term lease for the Belwood site. The first phase of the project plans to produce 18,000 tonnes of Class 1 nickel annually, with commissioning targeted for 2029. Discover more Find Metal Stocks Study Geology Study Chemistry Binding feedstock and offtake agreements already in place support production and revenue projected for the first phase of the project, ensuring the refinery's early success upon completion of its construction. "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," Westwin CEO KaLeigh Long said in a news release. "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," Long said. The Belwood site offers the infrastructure and logistical advantages needed to support commercial-scale production, including immediate proximity to Natchez's inland port and access to transportation networks serving the region. High-purity Class 1 nickel is used in national defense, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, specialty alloys, energy and other industrial applications. Developing domestic refining capacity is critical to reducing U.S. dependence on foreign processing and strengthening the supply chains that support those industries. The project is expected to create 134 full-time jobs in its first phase of commercial operations, at an average annual salary of approximately $84,000, Westwin said. No comments found.