Sev.en Global Investments’ subsidiary SO4 is on track towards full commercial operation after producing first organic sulphate of potash (SOP) at its Lake Way facility in Western Australia.
SO4 says this milestone follows seven years of project development and progress in Western Australia.
Once the development phase is completed, SO4 will produce more than 200,000 tonnes of premium SOP per year.
Sev.en Global Investments Australian country manager Mark Sykes says the company wants to establish the project to supply Australia’s agricultural industry and global markets with sustainable fertiliser for use in organic farming.
“This important step confirms SO4’s ability to conceptualise, design, construct, and operate the SOP mining and production facility at Lake Way to achieve world-class sulphate of potash,” Sykes says.
“The project has faced and overcome several complex challenges, and Sev.en GI is looking forward to bringing it to full production.”
The Lake Way processing plant is currently being commissioned, but SO4 says the production of prime high potassium standard SOP (53% potassium oxide and less than 1% chloride) shows the facility’s operational capabilities.
SO4 produces first potash
CEO Alan Svoboda says SO4 has laid the foundation for success as a major Australian and global organic SOP producer.
“Delivering this high-quality product is an important phase in our investment mission,” he says.
“We will now support full-scale commercial operations. We are also open to opportunities to engage with long-term strategic market players, who can fully leverage the market-leading and premium nature of the organic SOP product to maximise global market reach.”
SOP is primarily used as a fertiliser, delivering potassium, which is one of the three main essential minerals needed for plant growth. The essential mineral provides plants with greater resistance to weather and disease, as well as promotes the development and colour of flowers and increased fruit yields.
SOP prices are normally priced higher than muriate of potash (MOP), which is the most commonly used potash fertiliser. SOP prices remain above the long-term average of US$650 ($980) per tonne.
Sev.en Global Investments is a Czech-based investment group that invests across a range of sectors, primarily in power generation and mining of several natural resources. The company operates in Europe, Australia, and North America.
SO4 is an Australian subsidiary of Sev.en Global Investments focused on producing premium potash fertiliser.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: S04
