Photo by: WA Kaolin
Name of the Project
Wickepin kaolin project.
Location
Near Wickepin, 220 km south-east of Perth, in Western Australia.
Project Owner/s
WA Kaolin.
Project Description
Wickepin is one of the biggest known remaining premium primary resources of kaolin globally and is characterised by its purity, quality and brightness.
The Wickepin plant was commissioned in September 2022, allowing for WA Kaolin to start ramp-up of K99 production to a Stage 1 capacity of 200 000 t/y.
It is expected that free cash flow will enable the further expansion of this capacity to 400 000 t/y.
Potential Job Creation
Not stated.
Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.
Capital Expenditure
Not stated.
Planned Start/End Date
Commissioning of Stage 1 operations started in September 2022.
The processing plant at the project was completed in October 2022.
Latest Developments
The ore reserve estimate for the Wickepin project has more than doubled.
The project’s ore reserve is now estimated at 64.99-million tonnes, an increase of 113% on the previously reported ore reserve, with the project’s mine life now estimated at 73 years.
The project has a mineral resource of about 643-million tonnes.
“This ore reserve upgrade more than doubles our Wickepin kaolin deposit making it the largest known primary kaolin deposit in the world,” WA Kaolin CEO Andrew Sorensen has noted.
Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
AUSPAN (building works).
Contact Details for Project Information
WA Kaolin, tel +61 8 9439 6300 or email asorensen@wakaolin.com.au.