Kalium Lakes receives green light for WA sulphate of potash project

According to Mining News Pro - Kalium Lakes has received Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety (DMIRS) approval relating to the proposal and mining closure plan for its Beyondie sulphate of potash project (BSOPP) in Western Australia.

The BSOPP hosts Australia’s highest-grade sulphate of potash (SOP) brine deposit, with a probable reserve of 2.66 million tonnes (Mt) at 14.2kg per cubic metre SOP.

The BSOPP aims to produce 150,000 tonnes (t) of SOP per year for domestic and international sale.

The approval of DMIRS, coupled with the consent of the Environmental Protection Authority of Western Australia (EPA) that Kalium Lakes received in May, allows it to construct, operate and maintain several project upgrades.

These upgrades cover its BSOPP workshop, site access road, communication towers, accommodation camp and waste water treatment plant.

Managing director Brett Hazelden said that the approvals have paved the way for Kalium Lakes to undertake its early works construction activities this year.

In June 2018, Kalium Lakes was granted two mining leases for the BSOPP. The company is now processing the remaining approvals for the BSOPP.

Hazelden said, “Granting of these mining leases allows Kalium Lakes to maintain its development schedule with the aim of commencing construction on site in the third quarter, followed by brine extraction and evaporation in the fourth quarter of this calendar year.”

The project has been granted 15 exploration licenses, covering an area of around 2400 square kilometres 160km south east of Newman in Western Australia.