The board’s decision will see Mardie become the first new solar salt operation in Western Australia in almost 25 years, and the first to produce salt and sulfate of potash (SOP) from seawater.
A total of 11 new bores have been drilled in the project's western and southern borefields so far, of the 76 new bores scheduled to be developed through project construction.
Total funding of approximately AUS$1.2 billion is required to develop the sulfate of potash (SOP) project to a capacity of 5.35 million tpy of salt and 140 000 tpy of SOP.
The first drillhole, OHM-02, is planned in 4Q21 to a depth of 665 m which is expected to fully penetrate the known potash horizon in the area.
The study has indicated the project is capable of achieving a nameplate production target of 245 000 tpy of sulfate of potash over an initial Life-of-Mine of 21 years.
The Heritage survey was conducted in accordance with the standards and requirements of Western Desert Lands Aboriginal Corp.
The batch of sulfate of potash produced during the product commissioning process achieved the required product specification.
Western Australia's Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation will provide project facilitation assistance to the project.
Weir Minerals is providing both primary and secondary concentrate screens which will be used for the granulometric separation in the initial phase of the crushing, grinding and desliming processes.
Construction works for the Standard Grade SOP component of the plant are currently 98.1% complete.
The proceeds will be used to fund the purchase of long-lead items and other site infrastructure, including power supply, at the company’s Muga Potash Project.
The microgrid for the Lake Wells sulfate of potash project will be developed in a staged approach, with the thermal component to be completed within circa 15 months of Australian Potash making a final investment decision.
The northern embankment trial construction at BCI Minerals' salt and potash project in Western Australia is nearing completion.
Under the MoU, the Port confirms the availability of sufficient port capacity for up to 700 000 tpy of muriate of potash and salt.
The negotiation protocol will govern the conduct of negotiations in relation to an agreement for the construction and operation of Agrimin’s proposed haul road for its Mackay potash project.