Kalium Lakes on track with Beyondie

Kalium Lakes is in the race to become Australia’s first sulphate of potash (SOP) producer, with construction of its Beyondie project nearing completion.

Today, Kalium Lakes told the market it had entered the final phases of commissioning its $248 million Beyondie project, with a ramp-up in production scheduled for next month.

Chief executive Rudolph van Niekerk said the project was coming together as planned.

“Excluding the compaction plant, which is not required for first production of standard grade SOP, the project is now 98 per cent complete and ready for imminent start up,” he said.

“Construction activities are beginning to wind down, making way for the commissioning and operations team to complete the final steps before Kalium Lakes can seize the opportunity to become Australia’s first SOP producer.”

First standard grade SOP sales are expected in the final quarter of 2021.

Construction of the compaction plant – which will produce granular SOP – is scheduled to be completed in October, with first sales expected before March 30 next year.

Kalium closed up 5 per cent on the ASX today to trade at 20 cents.

The company is a among a small group of aspiring SOP producers in Western Australia that also includes Salt Lake Potash, which is commissioning its $269 million Lake Way project in the Mid West.

Salt Lake was scheduled to begin production earlier this year but was forced to revise its ramp-up strategy due to a number of setbacks, including delays in the awarding of further environmental approvals.

The company – which recently named Isak Buitendag as its new chief executive – is seeking extra funding before the end of the year to continue Lake Way operations.