Salt Lake Potash receives final environmental approval covering full-scale operations at Lake Way Project

Salt Lake Potash Ltd (ASX:SO4) (LON:SO4) (OTCMKTS:WHELF) (FRA:W1D) has received its Part IV Environmental Approval for the Lake Way Project in Western Australia covering full-scale operations of 245,000 tonnes per annum of sulphate of potash (SOP).

The permit enables SO4 to finalise construction of pond trains 4-6 as well as associated trench and bore construction that will support full-scale operations at Lake Way.

Construction on the final components of the on-lake infrastructure will begin this quarter.

The Part IV Environmental submission has been approved by the WA Government, having been recommended by the EPA with no appeals in January 2021.

Construction of remaining infrastructure

Chief executive officer Tony Swiericzuk said: “Receiving final environmental approval over the full Lake Way project will enable our team to commence construction of the remaining on-lake infrastructure and deliver the full scope of the Lake Way project.

“We look forward to commencing work shortly on this final phase.”

The company’s market cap is approximately A$313 million and shares today have been up to 6% higher at A$0.45.

Commissioning kicks off at Lake Way

On Monday, March 22, Salt Lake Potash started front-end process plant commissioning at Lake Way, marking a major milestone for the company as it is the first time that potassium-rich harvest salts, precipitated from lake aquifer brine, have been fed into an SOP plant in Australia.

The first harvest salts have been fed into the feed hopper, conveyed to the surge bin, run through the lump breaker and then into the attritioning feed tank at the front-end of the process plant. 

Over the coming weeks the utilities, conversion circuit, flotation circuits, crystallisers and dryer will all be commissioned ahead of full load commissioning and SOP production in the current quarter.

“First SOP sales within sight” 

SO4 chief executive officer Tony Swiericzuk said at the time that the company was on track for first production and SOP sales in the June quarter.

He said: “Commencing commissioning of Australia’s first sulphate of potash processing plant is a major milestone for SO4 and testament to the hard work of our owners’ team and GR Engineering Services. 

“It is exciting to see the vision that was first conceived in late 2018 come to fruition less than two and a half years later. 

“First SOP sales and revenue are now well within sight.”

Story by ProactiveInvestors