Australian Potash Limited (ASX: APC) has been granted permission to begin preliminary activities at its Lake Wells Sulphate of Potash Project (LSOP) in Western Australia.
Managing Director and CEO, Matt Shackleton, said the receipt of WA EPA approval to proceed with Minor and Preliminary Works at Lake Wells is in advance of the EPA’s pending report on the LSOP development proposal.
Ministerial approval is required by all of the SOP projects being proposed or developed in WA, and according to Mr Shackleton, APC’s LSOP proposal is the most advanced in the EPA assessment process.
As flagged in recent announcements, we are very pleased to advise further progress in the approvals pathway for the Lake Wells SOP project,” Mr Shackleton said.
“Our team has been working closely with the EPA to ensure all aspects of the proposed LSOP development meet or exceed required standards for the protection of the broader environment at Lake Wells.
“The LSOP’s Environmental Review Document (ERD) is now at Stage 3 of the four stage EPA assessment process.
“Concurrently, the company applied to proceed with what are referred to as Minor and Preliminary Works. The EPA is willing to grant this approval ahead of its recommendations to the Minister for Environment on the full development, when a company can demonstrate responsible, recoverable and minimal impact on the environment, of these works.
“APC is the second SOP project developer to receive M&PW approval. We very much look forward to providing further updates on the approvals pathway, offtake agreements and project financing in coming weeks.”
The minor and preliminary works the subject of this consent include:
- Upgrading the camp access track to more durable/all-weather access condition;
- Constructing and maintaining the western borefield track, the pond perimeter track and the eastern borefield track, in preparation for the civil and construction works associated with developing the entire borefield and pre-concentration ponds;
- Building a construction village including accommodation camp, fuel storage and wastewater treatment plant; and
- Developing several borrow areas to source material for the above.
APC holds a 100% interest in the Lake Wells Sulphate of Potash Project (LSOP) located approximately 500kms northeast of Kalgoorlie, in Western Australia’s Eastern Goldfields.
Following the release of the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) in August 2019ii, APC is focused on the Front-end Engineering Design (FEED) Study, finalising offtake discussions and securing financing to develop the LSOP.
The DFS was underpinned by extensive and rigorous testwork, data, and modelling. The DFS confirmed that the LSOP will be a long life, low capital and high margin SOP producer.
