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 project currently comprises mineral resources of 644.5-million tonnes of high-grade premium kaolinised granite.

The project contains 30.5-million tonnes of kaolinised granite reserves within the mining lease, delivering a 31-year mine life.

Stage 1 is designed to develop a kaolin processing plant with a production capacity of about 200 000 t/y.

Stage 2 will increase production from 200 000 t/y to 400  000 t/y, with further modular increases to capacity to be implemented in line with market demand and funding capability.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has a net present value, at 7% discount rate, of $257-million and an internal rate of return of 47%.

Capital Expenditure
Stage 1 capital expenditure is estimated at $18.07-million, with an additional $13.57-million for Stage 2.

Planned Start/End Date
Stage 1 is expected to be completed by the end of 2021.

Latest Developments
Building works on site at Wickepin are continuing in earnest, with 100% of the building structural steel and roofing completed.

The engineering design works on the fixed plant at Wickepin are nearing completion.

While some tenders remain open, including the product collection system, the key equipment items, including silos, bagging station and conveyors, have been selected, with some acquired and ready for installation. WA Kaolin expects to commission the fixed plant from the end of July 2021.

Process engineering of the electrical components of the Stage 1 plant works is complete and WA Kaolin has selected and ordered the electrical motor control centre supplier.

The company is reviewing contractor tenders. The thermal power generation plant has been ordered, with the renewable-energy package expected to be implemented in about mid-2022. This decision allows for the operating data from the thermal plant to be used to help design the optimum solar and battery storage system to complete the hybrid energy generation package.

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.