Name of the Project
Lake Way sulphate of potash (SoP) project.
Location
The project is located in the Northern Goldfields region of Western Australia.
Project Owner/s
Salt Lake Potash.
Project Description
Salt Lake Potash has completed a scoping study for a commercial scale SoP development at Lake Way.
The study has demonstrated the potential for the project to support a low capital and operating cost operation, with production of about 200 000 t/y of premium grade SoP supported by the total brine production volume of 23 Gℓ/y.
The high-grade SoP resource underpins a life-of-mine of 20 years.
Potential Job Creation
Not stated.
Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has a pretax net present value, at an 8% discount rate, of A$580-million and an internal rate of return of 33%, with a payback of 3.2 years.
Capital Expenditure
Capital expenditure is estimated at A$237-million.
Planned Start/End Date
Plant commissioning is expected in the fourth quarter of 2020 using salts from the Williamson pit brine.
Latest Developments
Construction is under way on the first phase of the evaporation ponds (the Williamson ponds), which will support the dewatering of the Williamson pit’s supersaturated brine with an SoP grade of 25 kg/m3.
The bankable feasibility study (BFS) is under way, with completion expected in the third quarter of 2019 to support project funding.
Key Contracts and Suppliers
Wood (study manager, plant infrastructure, capital and operating (mine gate) estimates compilations); Groundwater Science (resource estimate); Ad-Infinitum/Knight Piésold (brine evaporation); Cardno (brine transfer hydraulics); Carlos Perucca Process Consulting, Saskatchewan Research Council and Wood (process plant design basis/criteria, process testwork and process plant design); Wood/Salt Lake Potash (area infrastructure); Pendragon Environmental Solutions (environmental and heritage studies); CRU International/Argus Media (marketing); Salt Lake Potash (economics); and GR Engineering Services (lead engineer for the BFS).
On Budget and on Time?
Too early to state.
Contact Details for Project Information
Salt Lake Potash, tel +61 8 6559 5800 or email info@so4.com.au.