Kalium Lakes Limited (KLL) has announced that a ‘debottlenecking’ style review of the processing plant design for the Beyondie Sulphate of Potash (SOP) Project confirms that an annual steady-state production rate of at least 100 kilotonnes per annum (ktpa) is achievable.
On Wednesday, Chief Executive Officer of KLL, Rudolph van Niekerk, said that the current evaporation ponds’ performance indicates that the production rate can be achieved by mid-2022.
“The company is also confident that a production increase to 120 ktpa can be achieved without the need for substantial plant modifications and is currently examining pathways to deliver this outcome,” Mr van Niekerk said.
The Beyondie SOP Project is located approximately 160 kilometres south-east of Newman in Western Australia and comprises 16 granted exploration licences, two mining leases and several miscellaneous licences covering an area of approximately 1,800 square kilometres. This sub-surface brine deposit will supply an evaporation and processing operation.
Overall resource base capacity
Beyondie’s existing JORC Ore Reserve is 5.13 million tonnes with an SOP grading of 13.15 kg/m3, representing only 16 per cent of the Total Mineral Resource.
Beyondie has an initial forecasted mine life of between 30-50 years.
The company outlines that an internal concept level analysis completed on its published Resources and existing Mine Plan options (provided previously in the BSOPP Bankable Feasibility Study announcement) shows potential for substantially increased production scenarios that will maximise the value of the resource endowment.
KLL further notes that internal studies have highlighted the potential for realising value from magnesium which is a by-product of the production process. If realised, this has the potential to provide significant additional revenue streams and reduce Kalium Lakes’ unit operating cost base.
Once first SOP production has commenced (currently scheduled for September 2021), the company plans to investigate this opportunity.
SOP is a high yield, premium fertiliser, which would be sold in both domestic and international markets. SOP is used to cultivate fruits, vegetables, berries, potatoes, beans, cocoa, tobacco and tree nuts.