BCI Minerals reported that construction at its Mardie project was 90% complete at the end of the September 2026 quarter, or 87% when the crystalliser lining program is included. The company said cumulative construction expenditure was $1.265 billion and completion of the seawater pump station was expected in late calendar 2026.
The company said crystallised salt increased to 266,000 tonnes from 49,000 tonnes in the preceding quarter. It said lower winter crystallisation rates than forecast reflected a decision to prioritise transferring brine into crystallisers to maximise inundated surface area before expected El Nino summer conditions. BCI said the timing of first salt on ship remains subject to weather and evaporation conditions.
At the Port of Mardie, BCI said dredging and the marine works package had been completed, bringing port construction to 98% complete. The remaining scope was primarily conveyor belt installation and final commissioning, while the interim transhipper CSL Osprey was approaching completion of its upgrade ahead of planned wet commissioning at the jetty.
BCI also awarded a construction contract to Bluestar Lehigh for a 150 kg/hr containerised sulphate of potash pilot plant. The company described the pilot plant as a staged step toward validating potential commercial-scale SOP production from Mardie feedstock, with detailed design expected to be completed by the end of the March 2027 quarter.
Source: Download BCI official ASX announcement, 2026-10-20.
Salt crystallisers at Mardie, from BCI Minerals' 20 October 2026 quarterly report.