Westwin Elements Celebrates Ribbon Cutting for New Demonstration Plant

Lawton, OK –  Westwin Elements proudly announces the successful ribbon-cutting ceremony for its demonstration plant, marking a significant milestone in its mission to address America's critical minerals crisis. The event, held on August 15th, 2024, featured a ceremony at the demonstration plant site followed by a reception and luncheon at the Hilton Garden Inn – Lawton Fort Sill Convention Center.

​

Event Overview

The day commenced with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting at the demonstration plant site. Jeannie Bowden, Chief of Staff at Westwin Elements, delivered the welcome and opening prayer. KaLeigh Long, CEO of Westwin Elements, highlighted the plant’s role in solving America's critical minerals challenges, the company's commitment to excellence and sustainability, and the hard work and dedication of the Westwin staff.

 

Lawton Mayor Stan Booker and Chamber of Commerce President John Michael Montgomery provided powerful addresses, underscoring the plant’s importance to the region and the broader national context. The ribbon was officially cut by KaLeigh Long, Westwin Board Members, Mayor Booker, and Brad Cooksey, Lawton-Fort Sill Economic Development President, symbolizing the formal opening of the new facility.

 

Guests then took part in a plant walk-through for a brief viewing of the state-of-the-art facility before returning to the Hilton Garden Inn.

 

The day's events continued with a reception and luncheon at the Hilton Garden Inn Lawton- Fort Sill Convention Center, featuring presentations from notable speakers.

​

Speakers at the Luncheon

• Dennis Muilenburg, Westwin Board Member and former CEO of Boeing shared his insights on the plant's significance, the investment opportunity and its impact on the industry.

• Hopper Smith, Chief Strategy Officer at Westwin Elements, offered a welcome message and discussed the strategic importance of national security.

• John Nash, Secretary of Military and Veterans Affairs for the State of Oklahoma, acknowledged the state's support and partnership

• Dmitri Terekhov, Chief Technology Officer at Westwin Elements, detailed the advanced technology at the new plant.

• Brad Cooksey, President of the Lawton-Fort Sill Economic Development Corporation (LEDC), spoke about the plant’s positive impact on the local community.

• KaLeigh Long, CEO of Westwin Elements, provided a comprehensive summary of the project and its role in addressing the nation’s critical minerals needs. \

• Micah Sartin, Chief Development Officer at Westwin Elements, discussed future investment opportunities and the company’s growth trajectory.

​

Distinguished Guests

The event was graced by a diverse group of dignitaries and influential figures, including:

• State and federal officials

• Representatives from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

• Members of the Lawton-Fort Sill Economic Development Corporation (LEDC), Lawton Economic Development Authority (LEDA),            Comanche County Industrial Development Authority (CCIDA)

• Lawton City Council members

• Lawton-Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce representatives

• Investors and Westwin board members and advisors

• Westwin Elements team, including operators and corporate office staff

​

Significance

​Westwin Elements’ new demonstration plant represents a milestone in addressing America's critical minerals crisis. As the nation’s first major nickel refinery, Westwin is pioneering the carbonyl process domestically to produce high-purity nickel products. This plant will initially focus on producing high-quality nickel powder samples for prospective customers, showcasing Westwin’s technical expertise.

 

The facility will evolve into a leading-edge R&D hub and training center, dedicated to refining and advancing commercial processes. Westwin’s mission is to lead with excellence in production while upholding a profound commitment to environmental stewardship, community engagement, and national energy independence and security.

​

Plant Features​

• Facility Footprint: The plant spans approximately 5,000 square feet.

• Site Size: Located on 40 acres of land.

• Sections of the Plant:

           o Feed Handling: For managing and preparing input materials.

           o Process Area: Where the nickel refining processes are conducted.

           o Product Holding, Testing, and Lab: Dedicated to quality assurance and product development.

​

Statements

​KaLeigh Long, CEO of Westwin Elements, stated, “Today marks a pivotal moment for Westwin Elements as we unveil a facility that embodies our commitment to localizing nickel production to the U.S. and ensuring national energy security. This plant represents our dedication to solving America's critical minerals crisis through innovation and sustainable practices.”

 

Dennis Muilenburg, Board Member and Former CEO of Boeing, commented, “The opening of this demonstration plant is a testament to Westwin Elements’ dedication to technological excellence and industry leadership. It sets a new standard for nickel refining and demonstrates the company's significant role in addressing global mineral supply challenges.”

 

Mayor Stan Booker added, “The inauguration of Westwin Elements' demonstration plant is a landmark event for Lawton. It underscores our community’s role as a center for cutting-edge industry and highlights the plant's potential to drive economic growth and innovation.”

​

Future Plans​

Looking ahead, Westwin Elements aims to break ground on its commercial plant in March 2025. This new facility will further enhance Westwin's capabilities and reinforce its commitment to addressing critical mineral supply challenges and supporting the US energy transition.

 

For an in-depth view of the event and the new plant, we invite you to explore our virtual tour as well as images and videos from the groundbreaking ceremony. The video presentation, featuring a comprehensive tour of the demonstration plant, will be available on our website and social media channels.

​

###

​