Lake MacLeod

Lake Macleod is a large ephemeral salt lake located approximately 70 km north of Carnarvon in Western Australia's Gascoyne region. The terrain is characterised by an extremely flat, low-lying playa surface — ideal for solar evaporation pond construction but presenting significant challenges for bulk earthworks, bund maintenance, and drainage control. The hyper-arid, wind-exposed environment accelerates evaporation rates while demanding precise civil grading to manage brine flow across vast pond networks.

Following Leichhardt Industrials Group's acquisition in December 2024 from the former Dampier Salt Limited joint venture (Rio Tinto 68.4%, Marubeni 21.5%, Sojitz 10.1%), the operation enters a new commercial cycle. B2B vendors must anticipate:

• Re-tendering of maintenance and supply contracts under new ownership
• Acute demand for local mechanical workshops to minimise costly unplanned downtime
• Harvesting equipment servicing cycles aligned to seasonal production windows
• Salt and gypsum export logistics via Port of Carnarvon

Salt harvesting at Lake Macleod relies on an extensive network of conveyor systems transferring bulk crystallised salt from harvest zones to stockpile and ship-loading facilities. Key engineering considerations include:

• High-wear conveyor belt maintenance under abrasive saline conditions
• Brine pump station integrity across multiple evaporation stages
• Heavy mobile harvesting equipment (scrapers, haul trucks) operating on soft playa substrate
• Gypsum separation and processing circuits requiring dedicated mechanical support

Operating within the Gascoyne region mandates rigorous Aboriginal Heritage compliance under the WA Aboriginal Heritage Act. B2B partners are expected to demonstrate:

• Active engagement with Indigenous-owned enterprises for civil, catering, and environmental services
• Heritage survey protocols prior to any ground disturbance or infrastructure expansion
• Minimal freshwater consumption leveraging natural brine resources
• Carbon footprint reporting aligned to new ownership ESG commitments post-2024 transition