Pilbara jobs boost hoped for as salt project announced

Onslow could benefit from a major new solar salt project which is set to be up and running as early as 2019 if all goes to plan.

The world’s largest salt producer K+S Group today announced initial plans to develop the Ashburton Salt project at a site 40 kilometres south-west of town.

The project is still in early stages of development with K+S currently preparing the required documents to apply for the necessary environmental permits and completing a feasibility study for the project.

The approval process is expected to take at least three years, and only when the necessary permits have been granted will K+S make a final decision on whether to build the solar salt production facility.

Annual production capacity would be approximately 3.5 million tonnes, with early K+S estimates anticipating an approximate capital expenditure of AUD$350 million.

K+S Group salt business unit head Mark Roberts said the project, if realised, would provide long term job certainty.

“Ashburton Salt is a completely new project and significantly different from previous proposals for the region,” he said.

“The project may provide approximately 75 sustainable, full-time local jobs once in production.

“This project has the potential to create a range of positions for local people - from engineers and plant operators to truck drivers.”

Mr Roberts said there would be opportunities for local businesses to provide goods and services for the project.

Following today’s announcement K+S representatives plan to meet with key stakeholders in Onslow and Exmouth.

The project is K+S’ first foray into Australasia and is intended to bring them closer to Asian markets.

K+S talked up environmental management for the project, which would include minimising interface with the Exmouth Gulf, protecting mangroves, minimising impacts on algae mat communities, negating the need for long-term bitterns storage.

The estimated footprint at this stage would be no more than half the old Yannarie lease. K+S also plans to build a jetty to load shallow draft vessels, which would then transport the salt out to deep water for unloading on larger ships in an effort to minimise dredging.