Australian Potash locks in cultural heritage plan approval
ASX-listed premium fertiliser group Australian Potash has received an important nod from the Environmental Protection Authority for its key cultural heritage management plan for the development of its Lake Wells sulphate of potash project in WA’s Eastern Goldfields. The EPA approval represents another major milestone for the company, wrapping up the last of the statutory environmental permitting requirements for the project as the company hurtles headlong towards a final investment decision on Lake Wells.
The cultural heritage management plan or “CHMP” approval comes after Perth-based Australian Potash got the ball rolling recently on early capital works at its planned mine camp including the construction of accommodation units. The CHMP incorporates processes the company says mitigate the risks of impacting the sites and objects of cultural value to the traditional owners of the region. The commitments in the plan are binding on the company. It also sets out a timetable for an ongoing consultative process with Aboriginal and other stakeholders over the several stages of the proposed project development and Lake Wells sulphate of potash operations.
Management is eyeing a start to the main processing plant construction phase at Lake Wells in the middle of next year and commencement of plant commissioning 12 months later.