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

Location
Western Australia.

Project Owner/s
Kalium Lakes Limited (KLL).

Project Description
The front-end engineering and design (FEED) for Beyondie has delivered even further improved production and financial outcomes, including:

a 10% increase in the production rate, from 82 000 t/y of sulphate of potash (SoP) in the September 2018 bankable feasibility study (BFS) to an estimated 90 000 t/y Stage 1 SoP facility, ramping up to a 180 000 t/y full-scale facility (BFS 164 000 t/y) proposed in the FEED.

an overall system potassium recovery improvement from 72% to 91%, as a result of debottlenecking of the process plant and an increase in the potassium recovery from the flotation tails stream.

a decrease in the total evaporation pond size from 445 ha to 399 ha.

The initial mine life is estimated at more than 30 years and up to 50 years.

The SoP product quality has remained the same, at a premium 51% to 52% potassium oxide, with negligible chloride and minimal insoluble material.

Potential Job Creation
The project is expected to create 130 jobs during construction, 45 jobs during operation and produce a crucial fertiliser to support Australia's farmers and strengthen food security.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project’s pretax net present value has increased from A$575-million, at an 8% discount rate in the BFS, to A$606-million in the FEED, while the internal rate of return of has decreased from 20.4% 20.3%.

The September 2018 BFS estimated an initial payback of seven years.

Capital Expenditure
Preproduction capital for Stage 1 has increased from A$159.6-million in the BFS to A$216-million in the FEED. 

Planned Start /End Date
Commissioning and ramp-up to nameplate throughput is expected in 2020.

Latest Developments
The Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has granted environmental approval for the development of the Beyondie SoP project.

Kalium Lakes MD Brett Hazelden has said that achieving EPA approval for the Beyondie project is another first for the fledgling SoP industry in Western Australia.

The project would now go before the Western Australian Environment Minister for final consideration.

Beyondie remains on schedule to be the first commercial SoP project in production by 2020.

Kalium Lakes is now expected to take a final investment decision on the Beyondie project in the second quarter of this year.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
KLL (DFS), K-UTEC, DRA Global, Advisian, Shawmac, Wyntak and Preston Consulting (principal technical consultants and FEED); RSM, DLA Piper Australia, HopgoodGanim Lawyers and BurnVoir Corporate Finance (accounting, legal, commercial and financial advisers).

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

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