Loadquip has completed factory acceptance testing for a 1,500 tonne-per-hour salt harvester supplied to BCI Minerals’ (ASX:BCI) Mardie Salt Operation in Western Australia.
The fully assembled salt harvester will be ready for transportation to the site, marking a milestone for the development of one of Australia’s solar salt and potash projects.
A salt harvester is a specialised industrial machine designed to efficiently cut, collect, and transport salt crystals from the bottom of evaporation ponds or crystallisers. The machines automate the labour-intensive process of harvesting, capable of collecting hundreds of tonnes of salt per hour.
Loaquip’s harvester can surge to 2,000 tonnes per hour when required and has a capability to cut as deep as 500 millimetres.
Director Rowan Nicholas says the machine traverses the ponds while collecting salt and loading trailers as it moves from end to end.
“The harvester and tractor combination is a well-proven design that incorporates a chain elevator and loading conveyor to load the haul trucks,” Nicholas says.
BCI Minerals Superintendent Planning Dannie Richman says Loadquip’s engineering capability and collaborative approach has been evident throughout the project.
“This equipment represents an important step forward as we progress towards establishing a world-class, large-scale solar salt operation,” Richman says.
BCI Minerals harnesses the Pilbara region’s sun, wind, and seawater resources to produce industrial salt and sulphate of potash — which is a premium, chloride-free fertiliser essential to global food production.
The Mardie Project spans more than 130km2 and is designed as a multi-generational operation, expected to operate for more than 60 years.
Loadquip is an original equipment manufacturer focused on engineering innovation, crafting heavy-duty transport and specialised machinery solutions for the mining and heavy industry sectors.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Loadquip
