KALIUM LAKES Ltd, an exploration and development company, has announced that the overall Beyondie sulfate of potash (SOP) project is now 75% complete, on budget and on schedule. All the primary evaporation ponds are complete and production of potassium salts for commissioning and production ramp-up is on target. The gas supply infrastructure is nearing completion with commissioning activities to commence in January 2021. The power station has approximately 10% of work outstanding and will be ready to be commissioned as soon as the gas infrastructure goes live. With more than 95% of all Ebtec equipment delivered to the site and the final Ebtec shipment of equipment for the SOP purification plant now in transit, there has been an increase in process plant construction activities. “Kalium Lakes is an exciting place to be at the moment with so many milestones being achieved on a daily basis,“ CEO of Kalium Lakes, Rudolph van Niekerk, said and added that „while it is impossible to cover everything, we have strived to provide investors a good overview of what’s going on by uploading our latest corporate video to our website and social media platforms.“
HIGHFIELD RESOURCES Ltd, a company that explores for and develops potash mineral properties in Spain, has announced that the engineering and design of its Muga project has progressed in line with its internal plan, and the company is ready to issue all necessary documentation to its construction partner. The key long-lead items, notably the bolter miner, have already been committed. With the appointment of Endeavour Financial as its debt financial advisor, the company has begun to move forward with its financing strategy. The company is in a position to proceed with the project as soon as the mining concession is granted; there will be no significant new financial commitments until that point. While restrictions generated by the Spanish COVID-19 crisis have not prevented the authorities’ progress, they made the process slower than expected. The authorities have informed the company that they will therefore not be in a position to send their questions on the fifth and final chapter until 2021. The project is well advanced, in line with expectations, and it does not require any significant further development until the final stage of the mining concession process is completed.
ANGLO AMERICAN plc, a British multinational mining company with a portfolio that spans diamonds, platinum, copper and iron ore, has provided an update on the construction of its Woodsmith polyhalite mine on the North Yorkshire coast of England, updating investors that the project has continued to progress well during 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Mark Cutifani, Anglo American’s CEO, announced that the company will invest half a billion US dollars in the project in 2021, an increase on the US$300 million it had previously committed to spending. The improved funding commitment was, he said, a reflection of the good progress that was “ahead of expectations” and “to ensure that the critical path elements continue to proceed at the optimal pace and sequence.” It was also revealed that the first drive of the 37 km tunnel from Wilton on Teesside was nearing the 12 km mark and that good progress was being made on preparing for further mineshaft sinking operations at the Woodsmith Mine site near Whitby, which are expected to begin in the new year.
