Blackham Resources Ltd (ASX:BLK) recently entered a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Salt Lake Potash (ASX:SO4) to investigate a sulphate of potash opportunity.
Surface sampling on Blackham’s tenements has confirmed an average sulphate of potash (SOP) grade of over 14 kilograms per cubic metre.
This makes Lake Way one of Australia’s highest grade SOP brine sources.
A total of 23 pit samples were collected encountering brine at a standing water level generally less than 1 metre from surface.
READ: Blackham Resources does deal to evaluate nearby potash potential
Salt Lake Potash (SLP) holds 290 square kilometres of tenure covering Lake Way near to Blackham’s Matilda-Wiluna Gold Project in Western Australia.
Blackham holds 64 square kilometres at the northern end of Lake Way.
Under the MoU, SLP will acquire Blackham’s brine rights and Blackham will acquire gold rights to SLP’s Lake Way holdings.
Ideal site for our SOP demonstration plant
SLP is investigating the development of an SOP operation on Blackham’s existing mining leases at Lake Way, including initially a 50,000 tonnes per annum demonstration plant.
SLP will complete a scoping study for a potential SOP operation at Lake Way, including a demonstration plant, by mid-2018.
Due to available historical data and technical work undertaken by SLP at other lakes, the scoping study can be undertaken in a much shorter time frame.
Surface aquifer exploration and process test work planned
SLP is in the process of mobilising a drill rig and an amphibious excavator on the Lake to complete an initial surface aquifer exploration program.
The surface aquifer program will include the construction of test pits and trenches for long-term pump testing.
Furthermore, SLP has commenced a range of process development test work including process pathway modelling, a bulk sample evaporation trial and site-based evaporation trial at Lake Way.