The machine has been customised for the work at the operation to mill the salts, "harvesting" it to a miner-specified grain size so that it may be transported for processing at a purification plant.

It will have an operator comfort system (OCS) on-board within a fully enclosed cabin featuring climate control. The unit can hydraulically move the cabin from side to side as well for added operator visibility.

Kalium Lakes said it will work closely with Wirtgen Australia to configure the machine for the additional technical requirements at Beyondie. The development company gained knowledge on its needs during a pilot-scale and harvesting trials last year.

The BSOPP, 100% owned by Kalium Lakes, is located 160km south-east of Newman in the Pilbara region. It is targeting production of 90,000 tonnes per year of SOP in its initial phase before ramping up to 180,000t/y.