New Pilbara port 94% complete

THE NEW Port of Cape Preston West, which has been declared a multi‑user port on the Pilbara coast of Western Australia, is now 94% complete.

BCI Minerals in its December quarterly report said the jack-up barge had been demobilised, and all heavy lifts— including the ship loader tower and boat landing - are now complete.

The Port which sits adjacent to Cape Preston, southwest of Karratha has been established to support salt exports and other bulk minerals by BCI.

It is strategically positioned to service the Mardie Salt & Potash Project, giving BCI Minerals a direct export pathway and is under the management of Pilbara Ports.

BCI Minerals describes Cape Preston West as a critical enabler of the Mardie Operation.

In the report Mardie said it had been a big quarter as it progressed towards its first salt shipment.

The Mardie Salt & Potash Project is roughly halfway between Karratha and Onslow and spans about 100 square kilometres of coastal mudflats, positioned west of the North West Coastal Highway and directly adjacent to the Indian Ocean.

It is one of the few large‑scale solar salt developments on an undeveloped section of WA’s coastline.

In its report BCI said operations have continued to mature, with brine levels in ponds 1 to 9 tracking in line with operational targets.

“We have also seen encouraging progress with the arrival of brine shrimp in pond 7 and the presence of gypsum growth across the floors of ponds 7, 8 and 9, marking important indicators in our ramp-up.

“With construction now 77% complete, progress continues to accelerate across site.”

It said the salt wash plant has progressed with major earthworks complete and is advancing toward commissioning.

“All KTMS trial crystallisers have been commissioned and are performing as expected, forming part of the sulphate of potash pilot pathway.”

While the Port of Cape Preston West is purpose‑built for exporting industrial salt and sulphate of potash (SOP), it has surplus capacity and may support third-party users in the future.

Cape Preston West sits near the long‑established Cape Preston port, which services CITIC Pacific Mining’s Sino  Iron project. That port is private and focused on magnetite exports.

Cape Preston West, by contrast, is a publicly declared, multi‑user port under Pilbara Ports—a significant distinction for regional logistics planning.

“We are making strong, tangible progress across operations, construction and financial performance,” BCI managing director David Boshoff said in the report.

“Construction and commissioning milestones remain on track, and all primary approvals have been secured through close collaboration with state and commonwealth governments.

“This is a pivotal year for BCI as we continue to deliver on our commitments” Mr Boshoff said.

Tenders for the Port dredging and marine scope were finalised during the December quarter.

“The contract will be awarded in early 2026 and, subject to finalising contractual arrangements, dredging of the berth pocket and navigation channel is expected to commence during April 2026,” the BCI report said.