WA Kaolin Ltd (ASX:WAK) has signed a key contract with Haver & Boecker Australia for the supply of equipment that will form the basis of a bagging solution for kaolin powder product.
This represents another step forward in the company’s development of the Wickepin Kaolin Project, 220 kilometres southeast of Perth.
Wickepin has a 644.5 million tonnes mineral resource, which includes an ore reserve of 30.5 million tonnes of kaolinised granite.
Haver & Boecker Australia is a WA-based developer and manufacturer of high-performance processing and packing technology and a subsidiary of the Germany-based Haver & Boecker, a world leader in the supply of valve bag filling equipment.
“Moving towards production”
WAK CEO Andrew Sorensen said: “The signing of this contract represents another exciting step forward in the development of our Wickepin Project, which is expected to deliver 200,000 tonnes of kaolin per annum from the first quarter of 2022.
“The acquisition of high-quality bagging equipment from a world-leading company such as Haver & Boecker will ensure that we have the appropriate facilities in place as we are moving towards production.
“As the market for kaolin packed into 20 kilograms is very strong in Australia and the Asia Pacific, it was imperative we chose the right group to supply our valve bag filling machine requirements.
“When the bagging machine comes online at Wickepin, WAK will be able to service the market for kaolin that is packed in the smaller 20-kilogram bags, which attract a higher market price than kaolin packed in bulk bags.”
Forward plan
WA Kaolin’s order will see Haver supply a kaolin bagging solution including the Haver M-Series 4W, a valve bag filling machine, the Haver valve bag placer for four spouts and a flat belt conveyor.
The equipment is designed to fill 700 valve bags per hour and each bag will be filled to 20 kilograms, meaning WAK will have the capacity to pack more than half of the first stage design production capacity into 20-kilogram bags.
The Wickepin Project will produce kaolin products for tier-one customers and the company aims to expand its production to 400,000 tonnes per annum in a two-stage strategy.
“Long-term continuous growth”
Haver & Boecker Australia general manager Clelio Tonelli said: “We are delighted WA Kaolin has recognised Haver & Boecker Australia as the best solution provider for its new bagging line to be installed at WA Kaolin’s production facility currently under development in Wickepin.
“The resulting contract is a testament to the excellent work performed by our specialist operatives.
“Furthermore, the collaboration between both companies ensures the final solution will not only meet WA Kaolin’s immediate production requirements but has the capacity to cater for demands associated with long-term continuous growth.
“Our solution will deliver a significant increase in efficiency when it comes to producing a high-quality bagged product from not only an economic standpoint but occupational health and safety considerations as well.
“We are committed to working with WA Kaolin to ensure the absolute success of their new production facility and look forward to this project being an exemplar to the industry.”