Home

Karratha set for eco-industry boom

Pilbara News
Making the desert green: Sahara Forest Project's Qatar pilot facility. A similar project has been mooted for Karratha.
Camera IconMaking the desert green: Sahara Forest Project's Qatar pilot facility. A similar project has been mooted for Karratha. Credit: Sahara Forest Project

Three new proposals for sustainable industry development have received in-principle support from the City of Karratha

Sahara Forest Project, EcoMag and Rainstorm have each expressed interest in establishing new enterprises over portions of the Karratha Airport reserve.

City of Karratha Mayor Peter Long said the City would assist with investigations to facilitate the establishment of these new enterprises.

“It is exciting that these companies are interested in establishing here and the fact that they are looking at land managed by Council means we can play an even greater facilitative role in helping them get set up,” he said.

“These businesses are built on utilising natural, renewable resources like sunlight and seawater, both of which are abundant on location.

“There is also the potential that up to 50ha of PV solar panels will be installed as part of these projects, creating a 20MW solar power plant.”

Mr Long said the projects would create extra jobs and a more sustainable local economy.

EcoMag would use brine from salt production to create magnesium compounds.
Camera IconEcoMag would use brine from salt production to create magnesium compounds. Credit: Pilbara News

The Sahara Forest Project would produce fresh water, food and renewable energy by recycling seawater and harnessing energy from the sun.

EcoMag produces low cost, high purity magnesium compounds from a combination of salt production brine waste streams and solar energy.

Magnesium oxide is used in smartphone and laptop glass, building products, metal processing and cosmetics.

Rainstorm produces dust control and other products for civil works and the mining sector.

Pilbara Development Commission chief executive Terry Hill said the proposals marked a milestone in Karratha’s development.

“Projects of this nature are shining a spotlight on the Pilbara as a great place to invest, innovate, and develop new industries,” he said.

Yara Pilbara is also looking to investigate utilising power from the potential solar power plant at its Burrup site.

You can read more on this in the Pilbara News tomorrow.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails