Leichhardt Industrials is committed to retaining all 127 workers at the Lake MacLeod site. Credit: sdx15/Shutterstock.

Rio Tinto has concluded the sale of its Lake MacLeod salt and gypsum operation in Western Australia (WA) to Leichhardt Industrials Group for A$375m ($243m).

The sale agreement between Rio Tinto‘s Dampier Salt joint venture and Leichhardt was initially signed in January 2024. The Dampier Salt JV is owned by Rio Tinto (68%), Marubeni (22%) and Sojitz (10%).

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The operation is situated in Baiyungu and Yinggarda Country in the Gascoyne region, 70km north of Carnarvon, and includes a solar salt operation producing approximately 1.5 million tonnes (mt) per annum, a gypsum operation of around 1mt per annum and a deep-water port at Cape Cuvier.

Leichhardt Industrials Group has committed to retaining the existing workforce of 127 at the Lake MacLeod site.

Rio Tinto Iron Ore managing director, Port, Rail & Core Services, Richard Cohen said: “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. We acknowledge the collaboration of community partners and traditional owners throughout this process.”

Leichhardt Industrials Group CEO Scott Nicholas said: “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.

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“We would like to acknowledge the collaboration with Dampier Salt Limited and all Lake MacLeod stakeholders to deliver a safe and seamless transition of the operations to Leichhardt.”

Following the divestment, Dampier Salt will maintain its other assets, which include a solar salt site at Dampier and another at Port Hedland. The company has indicated that there are no plans to sell any further assets within its portfolio.