Impact Minerals (ASX:IPT) has outlined exploration activities at the Salmon Gums Project in Western Australia to support the potential development of a second project in addition to the Lake Hope High Purity Alumina (HPA) Project.
The company aims to produce sulphate of potash (SOP) fertiliser and hydrochloric acid (HCI) from this second project from sulphate clays in the region.
Impact holds an 80% interest in Salmon Gums through its shareholding in Playa One, which also holds the company’s Lake Hope project. The exploration work being conducted is part of the two parties’ joint venture agreement from July 2025.
Impact Managing Director Mike Jones says that the exploration work being conducted around Salmon Gums and Lake Hope indicate potential to produce both potash and hydrochloric acid.
“While our primary focus remains the development of the Lake Hope High Purity Alumina project, these results demonstrate that some of the surrounding lakes also contain meaningful concentrations of sulphate and alumina, which may support additional development opportunities,” Jones says.
“The exploration target at Kumarl includes a material inventory of potash, and when considered alongside other prospective lakes in the region, highlights the potential scale of the Salmon Gums area.
“A scoping study, being managed by CPC Engineering, is now underway to provide an initial technical and economic assessment of this opportunity.
“As exploration and technical work continue, we are increasingly recognising the potential for the Lake Hope-Salmon Gums region to support a long-term, multi-commodity industrial minerals project.”
Exploration across Salmon Gums has confirmed the presence of sulphate mineralisation in several lakes, with initial drilling conducted at two lakes.
In total, 58 drill holes were completed at various spacings across the lakes. Initial assays have reported ‘high-quality’ sulphate clays with average grades of over 20% alumina, 5% potassium, and 20% sulphate.
This work is being undertaken against a backdrop of global supply chain instability, highlighting the importance of developing secure, domestic sources of key products like potash and acid.
Impact is now focused on a scoping study to progress this opportunity, managed by CPC Engineering. Key work will include metallurgical testwork to optimise recoveries, drilling to define maiden mineral resource estimates, refinement of SOP purification and crystallisation parameters, testing of chlorine capture and conversion, engineering assessment, and market research.
Impact Minerals is focused on establishing itself as a key player in the high purity alumina industry in Australia.
Write to Amy Rotman at Mining.com.au
Images: Impact MInerals
