Sedgman Novopro is excited to share the news that it has completed the front-end engineering and design (FEED) study for Peak Minerals. The FEED work was completed in support of the Sevier Playa Potash Project in Millard County, Utah, the most significant sulfate of potash (SOP) fertilizer development in North America. 

Peak Minerals will produce SOP and associated minerals utilizing natural subsurface brines from the Sevier Playa coupled with solar evaporation to create the lowest-emission SOP facility in the world. The brines, extracted from the Playa using shallow trenches, will be sent to evaporation ponds where crude potassium sulfate salts will be deposited. From there, the salts will be harvested and sent to a processing plant for refining and production of SOP. The refinery utilizes Sedgman Novopro patented technologies that further reduce emissions when compared to competing operations. The project includes a rail loadout facility for shipping bulk as well as bagged products to North American markets.   

Sedgman Novopro previously completed a feasibility study for Peak Minerals in 2022 and was awarded the FEED study in 2023.  

We look forward to continuing our work with Peak Minerals to progress this world class fertilizer project.

CIMIC Group companies Sedgman and CPB Contractors, in joint venture, have been selected by BHP to undertake the Western Ridge Crusher Project in Western Australia.

The project, which will generate revenue to CIMIC of $757 million, involves an end-to-end solution for design and construction of a new 30 Mtpa primary crusher (separately procured by BHP) and a 12-kilometre overland conveyor, radial stacker and associated stockpiling systems, with a capacity of 30 Mtpa.

Sedgman and CPB Contractors have worked with BHP during the past 12 months to progress engineering, design and long-lead procurement for the project. The team will now commence construction at the end of May 2024.

CIMIC Group Executive Chairman Juan Santamaria said: “The unique combination of Sedgman’s mineral processing experience and CPB Contractors’ construction expertise provides our clients with the certainty of a proven track record in the delivery of major process infrastructure in the mining industry.”

Sedgman Managing Director Grant Fraser said: “We are pleased to continue our longstanding relationship with BHP and extensive work with CPB Contractors to deliver value for the Western Ridge Crusher Project. It is an exciting, long-term development in Western Australia.”

CPB Contractors Managing Director Jason Spears said: “CPB Contractors has a legacy delivering major projects for BHP in Western Australia and a current workforce based in the Pilbara region. We will continue to work closely with the local community to leverage employment, business and social opportunities with a focus on skills, training and diversity.”

Construction is expected to be completed ready for production to commence in the first quarter of FY27.

The Western Ridge Crusher site is on Nyiyaparli Country in the Pilbara region, approximately 21 kilometres southwest of Newman.

Sedgman, a member of the CIMIC Group, has acquired engineering company MinSol Engineering Pty Ltd. The acquisition is Sedgman’s third in the critical minerals processing sector, completing its strategy to become a full service, global provider in the extraction and refining of minerals essential to the rapidly growing clean energy technologies.

MinSol Engineering’s core business specialises in engineering of hard rock lithium concentration and refining processes including metallurgical test work, flow sheet development and detailed design.

The company, which will operate as Sedgman MinSol, has experience that has been integral to the development of the global lithium industry for more than 15 years.

Its expertise in hard rock lithium processing (including lithium carbonate concentration and lithium hydroxide refining), rare earths and mineral sands, complements Sedgman’s brine lithium processing capabilities acquired with Sedgman Novopro. This enables Sedgman to provide its clients with complete solutions in mineral processing for the global energy transition.

CIMIC Group Executive Chairman Juan Santamaria said: “With the acquisition of MinSol Engineering, Sedgman has finalised the strategic journey it embarked on two years ago to diversify its commodities and extend its global capability into hydrometallurgy, pyrometallurgy, chemicals and energy.

“The acquisitions of Sedgman Onyx, Sedgman Novopro, Sedgman Prudentia and now Sedgman MinSol, are a sign of Sedgman’s boosted capabilities and extended geographical reach, consolidating its position as a leader in minerals processing on a global scale.”

Sedgman Managing Director Grant Fraser said: “Sedgman now covers the complete process flowsheet in the critical minerals industries from comminution and beneficiation to hydrometallurgical refining through leaching, purification and metal recovery.

“With the combined expertise of Sedgman Novopro and Sedgman MinSol, we aim to service the rising demand for brine lithium in the Americas and Europe, and hard rock lithium in Western Australia and North America, to support the demand for minerals used to manufacture the everyday goods used widely across our society and in the energy transition.”