Rio Tinto has finalised the sale of Dampier Salt Limited’s Lake MacLeod operation to Leichhardt Industrials Group for $375 million, marking a significant transition in Western Australia’s salt and gypsum industry.

The deal, which was initially announced in January 2024, has now been completed with the full transfer of ownership to Leichhardt.

In a move that underscores the commitment to sustainable operations and community support, Leichhardt has pledged to retain all 127 employees at the Lake MacLeod site.

This decision ensures continuity of operations and provides job stability for the local workforce.

Scott Nicholas, CEO of Leichhardt Industrials Group, highlighted the sustainable nature of the acquisition, stating: “Lake MacLeod is a sustainable and perpetual operation.

“We will continue to invest in the Lake MacLeod project and the Carnarvon region to realise its full potential and ensure diversification for the state’s economy.”

The Lake MacLeod operation, located within Baiyungu and Yinggarda Country in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia, consists of a 1.5 million-tonne-per-annum solar salt operation, a one million-tonne-per-annum gypsum operation, and a deepwater port at Cape Cuvier.

This strategic asset aligns with Leichhardt’s focus on sustainable solar salt projects in the region.

Richard Cohen, Rio Tinto Iron Ore Managing Director for Port, Rail & Core Services, reflected on the legacy of the operation, stating: “We are proud of Lake MacLeod’s legacy and the strong contribution of the operation and its workforce to the Carnarvon community and surrounding areas.”

The sale is part of Rio Tinto’s ongoing portfolio optimisation, with Dampier Salt retaining its other assets, including solar salt sites at Dampier and Port Hedland.

Dampier Salt, a joint venture between Rio Tinto (68 per cent), Marubeni Corporation (22 per cent), and Sojitz (10 per cent), remains Asia’s largest exporter of seaborne salt.

This transaction not only represents a significant shift in ownership but also highlights the increasing importance of sustainable and community-focused operations in the mining and resource sector.

As Leichhardt takes the helm at Lake MacLeod, the company’s commitment to continued investment and regional development promises to drive economic diversification and sustainable growth in Western Australia’s Gascoyne region.