Salt Lake Potash Ltd (ASX:SO4) (LON:SO4) (FRA:W1D) (OTCMKTS:WHELF) has signed a native title land access and brine minerals exploration agreement with Tarlka Matuwa Piarku Aboriginal Corporation (TMPAC) covering the Lake Way Project area in Western Australia.
TMPAC has entered into the agreement with Salt Lake Potash on behalf of the Wiluna People who are the recognised native title holders of the land covering the Lake Way Project sulphate of potash (SOP) project area.
Importantly, TMPAC has also provided consent for the total area required for the construction and operation of the Williamson Ponds.
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The signing of the agreement and receipt of the consent is a major milestone in the development of the Lake Way Project and positions Salt Lake Potash to accelerate the works program for the Williamson Ponds.
Salt Lake Potash chief executive officer Tony Swiericzuk said: “It has been a pleasure working with TMPAC to develop an agreement which respects the significance of the area’s heritage and also enables us to progress the Lake Way Project.
“The signing of the agreement is a key milestone for construction activities to commence and the company’s goal of developing the first SOP project within Australia.
“We look forward to building on the strong working relationship with TMPAC as we progress our plans to develop the Lake Way Project.”
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Having signed the agreement, Salt Lake Potash is now looking to accelerate works at Lake Way, including:
• Construction of Williamson Ponds – Key contracts in respect of the construction of the Williamson Ponds are in the process of being finalised and construction equipment will be mobilising shortly in preparation for the imminent planned works to begin. The completion of this work program will result in the construction of Australia’s first commercial-scale SOP evaporation ponds.
• Resource definition program –Work is currently underway to enable Salt Lake Potash to report a resource estimate for the lake bed brine and the paleochannel aquifer for the whole lake, which will enable the company to examine larger production options.