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 development base case envisages the production of 150 000 t/y (sulphate of potash (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 Lakes has reported a 150% increase in the measured and indicated resources at its BSoPP.

The project is now estimated to host a measured and indicated resource of 1.72-million tonnes, an indicated resource of 9.17-million tonnes and an inferred resource of 7.79-million tonnes.

The additional hydrogeological data collected this year has resulted in a considerable increase to the measured and indicated resource classifications.

“This increase is anticipated to translate into a substantial increase in ore reserves, with an update scheduled during September. It is also likely that we will be able to increase the mine life, which will, in turn, generate additional opportunities to increase our production rates,” Kalium Lakes MD Brett Hazelden has said.

Kalium Lakes’ mining proposal and closure plan for Beyondie have been approved.

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.