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 the process plant and an increase in the potassium recovery from the flotation tails stream; and

• 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 Beyondie project will create up to 80 jobs during construction and employ about 50 full-time workers over the 30-year life of the mine, and will bring important infrastructure to the regional community, with the construction of an airstrip, upgraded roads, improved communications and a 78 km gas pipeline.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project’s pretax net present value has increased from of 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 definitive feasibility study (DFS) to A$216-million in the FEED.

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

Latest Developments
Kalium Lakes has approved the development of the Beyondie SoP project.

The final investment decision effectively starts the use of the company’s financial capacity, transforming Kalium Lakes into Australia’s first commercial SoP producer.

The final investment decision comes after the successful completion of a A$72-million capital raise in August this year, in conjunction with a A$102-million loan facility provided by KfW IPEX-Bank and A$74-million in funding from the Northern Australian Infrastructure Facility, along with A$15-million of working capital from Westpac Banking Corporation.

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.