The Mardie Salt and Potash Project in the Pilbara region of Western Australia will be Australia’s first to produce both salt and sulphate of potash (SOP) through seawater evaporation, and ICN WA is working with the project owner to maximise local supplier involvement.
Mardie Minerals Pty Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BCI Minerals, is committed to local and indigenous engagement and has an Australian Industry Participation plan.
Mardie will be the first major salt operation developed in Australia in two decades and its significance has led to the Federal Government granting it Major Project Status.
“We are pleased that Mardie has been acknowledged as a project of national significance by the Australian Federal Government,” BCI Minerals Managing Director Alwyn Vorster said.
“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.”
The site is located in one of the world’s premier regions for solar salt production. The Pilbara has been producing high quality and reliable salt products for about 50 years. The salt is consistently in high demand in chemical and other industries.
The Mardie Salt and Potash project will be the only Australian operation producing commercially saleable salt and SOP. It will be one of the largest single salt operations in Australia and has the potential to become one of the largest evaporative operations globally.
Local suppliers have the opportunity to be involved in a range of project components, including:
- large-scale earthworks needed for the evaporative ponds, salt crystallisers and SOP crystallisers
- salt wash and stockpile facilities
- SOP production and storage facility
- new accommodation Village
- non-process infrastructure
- port marine structures, such as a 2.5km jetty
- dredging
- power station and gas pipeline.
ICN WA is encouraging local businesses to register for general updates via the Mardie Minerals Gateway Page.
