Privately held company SO4 has marked a commercial milestone at the Lake Way Sulphate of Potash (SOP) Project in Western Australia, with the first commercial export shipments of its premium quality SOP.
Initial shipments have been sent to several countries, including Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, and Peru.
SO4 is continuing to develop domestic distribution, with deliveries made to clients in Western Australia, as well as its first international customers.
The Lake Way Project, acquired by Sev.en Global Investments in October 2022, has produced premium quality SOP, recording 53% potassium superoxide content, above industry standards, and ultra-low chloride levels.
Sev.en Global Investments Country Manager Mark Sykes says this is a transformative milestone for SO4 and the Lake Way Project.
“Achieving successful commercial production and making our first deliveries is a powerful validation of our technology and the quality of our product while establishing a strong foundation for the future,” Sykes says.
“Lake Way is fully operational and capable of delivering premium SOP to both a global and domestic market that is increasingly seeking reliable and sustainable sources.
“With a production capacity of more than 200,000 tonnes per year, we are uniquely positioned to meet Australia’s entire demand.”
Sykes notes historically, Australia has imported every tonne of SOP and SO4 is not only supplying the critical domestic need but also exporting Australian potash.
“This is a critical part of building Australia’s local SOP sector,” he says.
SO4 is ramping up its production onsite, having sold more than 1,800 tonnes of potash to date with a further 2,000 expected to be sold within the next month, and a steady stream of export and domestic sales continuing. More than 140 onsite workers operate the site, with this projected to grow up to 250.
SO4 operates the Lake Way Project and uses a sustainable solar evaporation process to produce SOP.
Sev.en Global Investments is a Czech-based investment group that invests across a range of sectors, particularly in steel production, power generation, and mining of various resources.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: SO4
