The Federal Government has granted ‘Major Project’ status to a mineral processing facility in Western Australia which is expected to generate hundreds of jobs.
BCI Minerals Limited’s (BCI) 100 per cent owned Mardie Salt and Potash Project, located approximately 100 kilometres south-west of Karratha, is expected to produce 4.4 million tonnes per annum of high-purity salt (>99.5 per cent NaCl) and 120 kilotonnes per annum of sulphate of potash (SOP) (>52 per cent K2O) via solar evaporation of seawater.
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the facilities would help secure domestic supply chains, while also creating export opportunities.
“The Morrison Government is pleased to support this project which has the potential to expand Australia’s vital chemical and agriculture industries,” Minister Andrews said.
“Not only will the development create about 450 jobs during construction and 200 jobs over its operating life, it will also support critical supply chains and deliver exciting export opportunities.”
“Potash, for example, is essential for many of our farmers but currently it has to be imported, making our agriculture sector susceptible to supply chain disruptions like we’ve experienced with COVID-19.”
Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia Keith Pitt commented that the Karratha, Dampier and Onslow communities would reap significant economic benefits.
“Projects such as this are important to the economic health of regional communities in the north and complement the Australian Government’s efforts to develop northern Australia,” Minister Pitt said.
“The project will supply agricultural and chemical industries across Asia, bringing valuable export income.”
BCI Managing Director Alwyn Vorster said the recently completed Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) indicated that Mardie is a potential Tier 1 project, and the grant of major project status further supports this view.
“The development of Mardie will deliver substantial long-term public benefits over a potential operating life of 100 years in the form of significant employment and contracting opportunities, and billions of dollars of royalties and taxes. This support from the Federal Government will make a meaningful contribution towards Mardie becoming the first large-scale salt project to be developed in Australia in more than 20 years,” Mr Vorster said.
With a Final Investment Decision (FID) for Mardie targeted to occur in early 2021, and construction start by mid-2021, first salt sales could be achieved by mid-2024 and first SOP sales by mid-2025.
A new transhipment port within the Pilbara Ports Authority controlled Cape Preston West Port area, adjacent to the Mardie Project will enable exports from the facility. The port will also be available to others, potentially unlocking further deposits of iron ore and other minerals in the region.
Major Project Status is the Commonwealth Government’s recognition of the strategic significance of a project to Australia. It provides companies with additional support from the Major Projects Facilitation Agency, including a single entry point for Commonwealth Government approvals, project support and coordination, and help with state and territory approvals.
