Name of the Project
Beyondie sulphate of potash project (BSOPP).

Location
Western Australia.

Client
Kalium Lakes.

Project Description
A prefeasibility study (PFS) has determined that the BSOPP is technically and financially robust.

The project has a probable reserve of 2.66-million tonnes of sulphate of potash (SoP) grading 6.37 mg/ℓ potassium and 14.2 kg/m³ potassium sulphate.

The development base case envisages the production of 150 000 t/y SoP, with the option to incrementally phase the project through a ramp-up from 75 000 t/y to 150 000 t/y SoP to minimise operational and financial risks.

Two methods to extract the brine have been considered in the PFS:
• pumping from production bores in the basal sands (lower aquifer) and leakage from brine-bearing segments within the palaeovalley clay and fractured/weathered bedrock; and
• pumping from trenches inside the alluvial sediments (upper aquifer) in trenches of up to 8 m deep. It is likely that both methods will be used because of the properties of the different aquifers.

The general mineral processing concept comprises:
• brine winning;
• brine concentration and crystallisation of solid raw materials for the processing plant;
• a processing plant; and
• utilities.

The base case assumes a 21-year mine life.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has a development base case pretax net present value, at a 10% disount rate, of A$388-million and an internal rate of return of 28.7%, with a payback of 3.7 years.

Value
Preproduction capital has been estimated at A$220-million.

Duration
Not stated.

Latest Developments
Kalium has approved the start of a bankable feasibility study on the project.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
None stated.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Kalium Lakes, tel +61 8 9240 3200 or email info@kaliumlakes.com.au.