The Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) of the Lake Wells Sulphate of Potash Project in WA, including the pond constructability program of work and long-term test pumping program on production wells, is due for completion in June 2019.
Australian Potash Limited commenced the evaporation pond construction program at Lake Wells to assess optimum commercial scale pond construction technique.
The program conclusion aims to identify the most cost-efficient technique that will feed into the Lake Wells Potash Project Definitive Feasibility Study.
The bore development rig has commenced the final drilling program to complete an updated resource model, with the test-pumping program to commence immediately thereafter.
Australian Potash Limited Managing Director and CEO, Matt Shackleton, said, “This program is one of the final two field programs underway to complete the Definitive Feasibility Study data set — the other is the long-term test pumping program on production wells.
“By the conclusion of the DFS, we will have installed and pump tested approximately 30 per cent of our Stage 1 bore-field, allowing APC to move seamlessly into pond fills on development.”
Mr Shackleton said prior to the construction of full-scale commercial evaporation ponds, APC needs to confirm the most economically and technically optimal construction method for the pond walls — Stage 1 ponds will be approximately 10㎢ in area making data gathered in this program vital to future development.
“We know we can take advantage of the surface clay layer to seal the bottom of the ponds. What we are assessing is which is the best wall construction technique to seal the walls of the ponds — we call these On-playa Trial Ponds, as they are built unlined, on the lake surface,” he said.
