BHP faces $100,000 fine over breaches

BHP Billiton Nickel West has been ordered to rectify breaches of the state's electricity licences or face a fine of up to $100,000.

Following an audit of the company's electrical metering system, the Economic Regulation Authority found the company had breached the electricity distribution and retail licences.

Although Nickel West is mainly a mining operation, the company also acts as an electricity distributor to a small number of industrial customers in Goldfields region.

In particular, the report found that electricity meters were not properly checked and that meters were last calibrated between 2000 and 2003, of which details were not available and therefore overall accuracy not known.

It was also found a lack of information relating to the standards of current meters, resulting in uncertainty over whether the meters meet code requirements.

Nickel West has until March 2010 to rectify the contraventions or face a fine of up to $100,000.