Export Finance Australia joins financing of major new salt export project
Export Finance Australia has joined the project financing of BCI Minerals’ Mardie Salt and Potash project, a major new development that will produce salt primarily for export.
Media release
25 August 2023
Export Finance Australia (EFA) has joined the project financing of BCI Minerals’ Mardie Salt and Potash project, a major new development that will produce salt primarily for export.
EFA is providing a A$160 million loan to the project, alongside a range of other lenders including the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility and commercial banks.
Managing Director and CEO of EFA, Mr John Hopkins, said "The Mardie project is set to be Australia’s largest salt project, generating over 5.35 million tonnes per annum of exportable salt,"
“Australian trading partners such as Japan and Indonesia will benefit from a reliable supply of this important resource, with salt being a vital input into a range of chemical and agriculture processes.” Mr Hopkins said.
The Mardie Salt and Potash Project has been designed to produce more than 5 million tonnes per annum of high-purity salt and 140 kilotonne per annum of Sulphate of Potash via solar and wind evaporation of seawater. Main construction of the Mardie Project commenced in early 2022.
Provision of EFA finance is subject to all regulatory approvals and financing conditions being met.
ENDS
Media Contact:
Simon Fisher, +61 421 056 872, simon.fisher@exportfinance.gov.au
About Export Finance Australia
Export Finance Australia (EFA) is Australia’s export credit agency (ECA).
EFA provides commercial finance for export trade and overseas infrastructure development. From small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to large corporates, foreign Governments and infrastructure projects, EFA helps Australian businesses take on the world. In doing so, EFA finance supports Australia’s economic security and regional resilience.
EFA administers the Australian Government’s National Interest Account, which currently includes the Critical Minerals Facility, the Defence Export Facility and lending for the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific.
