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BCI Minerals Limited (ASX:BCI)

ALERT: Price-sensitive ASX Announcement for BCI
Current share price for BCI : $0.555 0.11 (24.72%)+
Announcement
Release
18 Aug 2026 2:47PM
Price at Release
$0.445
Full Release
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Summary
BCI Minerals Limited has announced the commencement of constructing a sulphate of potash (SOP) pilot plant at the Mardie Salt Operation and Potash Project. This pilot plant is designed to validate the commercial-scale production of SOP from Mardie feedstock. The project is funded through existing debt facilities under a capital budget of A$1.443 billion, and Bluestar Lehigh Engineering Institute Co., Ltd will lead the design and installation. The pilot aims for full commissioning by Q2 FY2028, with plans to assess the potential for Mardie to become the only site in Australia producing both salt and SOP. The decision for a full-scale SOP facility will depend on successful pilot outcomes and further feasibility studies.
Key Points
  • BCI Minerals Limited (ASX:BCI) has awarded a construction contract for a sulphate of potash (SOP) pilot plant at its Mardie Salt Operation and Potash Project.
  • The pilot plant aims to validate potential commercial-scale SOP production from Mardie feedstock.
  • SOP is a premium chloride-free fertilizer used on high-value crops both in Australia and internationally.
  • Bluestar Lehigh Engineering Institute Co., Ltd will design, procure, supply, assemble, deliver, and install the 150 kg/hr containerized pilot plant.
  • The pilot plant expenditure will be funded from BCI’s existing debt facilities and is part of the approved Mardie capital budget of A$1.443 billion.
  • Engineering consultancy eXcellerate will provide independent oversight across design, risk, procurement, and commissioning.
  • Representative KTMS feedstock is being generated at Mardie using trial crystallizers with a target to produce approximately 1,000 tonnes in Q2 FY2027.
  • Commissioning of the pilot plant is targeted for the start of Q2 FY2028, with piloting expected to run for approximately 12 months.
  • The pilot plant is a step towards potentially making Mardie Australia’s only operation producing both salt and SOP on one site.
  • Any decision to proceed to a full-scale SOP facility remains subject to successful piloting and feasibility work.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This information is autogenerated and has not been reviewed for accuracy or completeness. You should refer to the full announcement here for further information.