BCI Minerals Awards Contract for Mardie SOP Pilot Plant
Synopsis
The 150 kg/hr pilot plant will test SOP production from Mardie feedstock over a 12-month period and is funded within the existing A$1.443 billion project budget.
Key Highlights
- BCI Minerals has awarded a contract to build a new SOP pilot plant at its Mardie project.
- The plant will process 150 kg of material per hour.
- The pilot plant is funded within the approved A$1.443 billion Mardie project budget.
- Commissioning is planned for the start of Q2 FY2028, followed by a 12-month testing period.
BCI Awards Pilot Plant Contract
BCI Minerals has awarded a construction contract for a new sulphate of potash (SOP) pilot plant at its Mardie Salt Operation and Potash Project. The pilot plant will help BCI test whether bitterns from the Mardie operation can be turned into high-value fertiliser products.
The plant will process 150 kg of material per hour. BCI plans to produce about 1,000 tonnes of representative KTMS feedstock in Q2 FY2027 for the pilot plant. Bluestar Lehigh Engineering Institute Co, Ltd has been appointed as the main designer and constructor.
Pilot Plant Funded Within Existing Budget
The pilot plant is being funded from the approved A$1.443 billion Mardie project budget. BCI said the work will not change the scope or schedule of the Mardie salt operation.
The pilot will allow BCI to test the process continuously under real operating conditions. The results will help the company improve its design before making any decision on a larger SOP facility. Independent consultancy eXcellerate will oversee the design, risks, purchasing and commissioning.
What BCI Minerals Management Said
BCI Minerals Managing Director David Boshoff said the pilot plant is an important step in getting more value from the Mardie resource.
He said the testing will provide real operating data and help BCI finalise the process design while reducing technical and process risks before any future large-scale investment. BCI also sees the potential for Mardie to become Australia’s only operation producing both salt and SOP at the same site.
What Happens Next
BCI will now focus on producing and processing about 1,000 tonnes of feedstock for the pilot plant. The company plans to commission the facility at the start of Q2 FY2028, followed by about 12 months of testing. Any decision to build a full-scale SOP facility will depend on the pilot results, further studies and a separate investment decision.
Source: Reuters
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