BCI Minerals’ Mardie Salt & Potash Project in Western Australia will go ahead following support of $450 million from the Federal Government’s Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF).
Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia Keith Pitt said the NAIF loan will fund building of ponds, two processing plants, port facilities and other infrastructure for the project, which is forecast to produce more than four million tonnes of high purity salt and 100,000 tonnes of potash fertiliser a year.
A new transhipment port on the Pilbara coast will enable exports from the Mardie Project, and will also be available for other developments in the region.
“The multi-user port facility will facilitate growth in other industries in the region by unlocking stranded assets and providing an efficient freight and supply chain channel.”
The project, located around 100 kilometres south-west of Karratha, is forecast to directly support around 450 jobs during construction, and around 200 jobs during its operational life.
“The project will also have significant benefits for the Karratha, Dampier and Onslow communities by creating opportunities in line with the Government’s program to foster jobs and growth across northern Australia.”
Minister Pitt said the project was awarded Major Project Status last August, due to its significance to the economy and helping to steer the project through regulatory approvals. NAIF and the project proponents will now work on final contractual arrangements for the loan.