The Contractors
GR Engineering has been named a lead engineer for BCI Minerals’ Mardie salt and potash project definitive feasibility study.
Under the contract, GR Engineering will coordinate and integrate the process and engineering design packages for the ponds and crystallisers, salt plant, SOP plant and port facilities.
The company would also be responsible for preparing and verifying the DFS level capital and operating cost estimates, and undertake the design and supervision of pre-final investment decision site works and supporting infrastructure.
BCI said site works included a 135-hectare trial pond, seawater intake pumps, a 20km upgrade of access roads, an initial accommodation camp and power generation.
“GR Engineering is pleased to be involved in this high profile WA project,” GR Engineering managing director Geoff Jones said.
“We look forward to working closely with BCI to deliver high-quality results in alignment with the planned schedule and cost.”
BCI managing director Alwyn Vorster said the company hoped to be in a position to make a final investment decision by the first quarter of 2020.
“GR Engineering’s technical ability and project management strengths will make them a valuable partner to BCI as Mardie is progressed towards full project construction,” Mr Vorster said.
BCI was also in funding discussions with the Northern Australia Infrastructure Fund, and advancing briefings with potential investors and offtake partners.
Once developed, the Mardie project was expected to produce up to 4 million tonnes of salt per annum and up to 100,000 tonnes of sulphate of potash (SOP) per annum over a 50-year project life.